CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Community members are pressing for answers following the suspension and resignation of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Superintendent Clayton Wilcox.
At the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum, community members gathered, discussing topics in education and the future of CMS.
One person at the meeting asked, “What do we know exactly that we can put on the table, what happened with Dr. Wilcox, and what is happening within our school system that the structure allows so many superintendents to be here with that fast turnaround?”
CMS Board of Education Member Carol Sawyer, representing District 4, was at the forum and said the superintendent, like any CMS employee, has a right to confidentiality in their personnel file under state law.
“We cannot disclose confidential information about the superintendent,” she said. “So, I know that’s frustrating for folks, but that is the state law under which we operate.”
The CMS Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night for the first time since unanimously voting in favor of a separation agreement with Wilcox Friday morning.
His resignation will be effective August 2. No money will be paid to Wilcox as part of the agreement. He will not receive medical benefits after he resigns.
CMS announced Ombudsman Earnest Winston would serve as the interim superintendent.
Since Hugh Hattabaugh began serving as interim superintendent in 2011, Earnest becomes the fifth person to serve in that capacity in 8 years.
Community members present at the forum are now looking forward as they share their input as to what qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent for CMS.
"If we're going to get a new superintendent,” one person said, “let's find a good one that's going to last a long time."