MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — After recent reports of sexual assault within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district, leaders are wanting the community to know they are reviewing cases of misconduct.
Superintendent Earnest Winston issued a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 3, about these various reports.
As a parent, I understand the concerns many families are sharing about news coverage of incidents of misconduct. It is difficult for me to not give in to the parental instinct of providing information to help others gain a better understanding of situations, which many times prove more complex than news reports might lead one to conclude. As the leader of the district, I am bound by law to not disclose confidential information about such matters as individual student discipline or ongoing police investigations. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously, and our staff is trained to follow proper procedures in reporting. District leaders review assertions of Title IX reporting problems and will take appropriate action in the event any review reveals action is necessary. Earlier this year, I requested the creation of a Title IX task force. That task force has been working together to discuss recommended improvements in how our district handles allegations of misconduct. In a few weeks, I will receive a report from the task force. I will review the report for recommendations to make our schools safer.
Just this week, WCNC Charlotte received an incident report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department about two teenagers from Hawthorne Academy reporting a person attempted to engage in sexual contact with them within the school. The incident was reported to the police on Sept. 10.
CMS said in an email to WCNC Charlotte that district leaders review assertions of Title IX reporting problems and will take appropriate action in the event any review reveals action is necessary.
The district announced the creation of the Title IX task force back in August.