James Farrell

2 weeks ago | wfae.org | James Farrell

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board member Liz Monterrey Duvall said in a recent message to constituents that she wasn’t sure if she’d run for office again next year. She cited ongoing concerns over federal crackdowns on immigration and other factors.

2 weeks ago | wfae.org | James Farrell

An elementary school operated by UNC Charlotte will close its doors after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools declined to renew its contract. Niner University Elementary was Charlotte’s only lab school, a public school that’s run by a college or university. It began in 2020, operated by UNC Charlotte’s Cato College of Education under an agreement with CMS, which provided the facility, transportation and meals.

2 weeks ago | wfae.org | James Farrell

A new state report shows that the number of charter schools operating statewide in 2024 dropped for the first time in 15 years, but charter school enrollment continued to rise. There were 208 charter schools in operation in 2024 — down from 211 the year before. It marks the end of a streak of significant growth that began in 2011, when the state lifted the cap that had limited the number of charter schools allowed to operate to 100.

2 weeks ago | wfae.org | James Farrell

Thousands of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees could see a pay raise in July. The proposal would be funded by recently approved Mecklenburg County money. The proposed raise is the second phase of an overhaul in CMS’ compensation for nonteaching staff such as bus drivers, custodians, maintenance workers and others. Phase I was implemented earlier this year and predominantly affected the district’s lowest-paid workers, when CMS increased its minimum wage to $20 per hour.

3 weeks ago | wfae.org | James Farrell

Several parents, teachers and advocates spoke at Thursday's school board meeting, calling on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to do more to protect immigrants, following the controversial May arrest of a parent near Charlotte East Language Academy by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Speakers called on CMS to provide additional , trauma-informed training — with a focus on immigration — for all teachers and staff.