Rebecca Noel

Education Reporter at The Charlotte Observer

Articles

NC bill would let the school year start earlier. What CMS parents should know

2 days ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

If it becomes law, the bill would allow school districts like CMS to finish end-of-course testing before winter break. [email protected] A bill is moving through the North Carolina legislature that would allow school districts to begin the school year one week earlier. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board members say they're likely to amend the 2026-27 calendar if it becomes law. Senate Bill 754 passed the NC Senate by a vote of 39-7 at the end of April.
CMS board members questioned contract for consultant now making $500k

1 week ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill (far right) presents her superintendent's report to the CMS Board of Education on April 22, 2025. [email protected] Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is paying a consultant $500,000 per year to coach school leaders, but some board members raised questions about impact and at least one asked about existing family ties to CMS.
CMS Teacher of the Year 'lives for the kids.' What to know about the winner

1 week ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

Gregory Gabriel smiles after being named Teacher of the Year by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools during the third annual Gem Awards ceremony at Dale F. Halton Theater at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Gabriel, who is a teacher at Winterfield Elementary School, was honored along with the school district's 2024-25 Teacher Assistant and Beginning Teacher of the Year. [email protected] Gregory Gabriel doesn't stop.
CMS board members questioned contract for consultant now making $500k

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Rebecca Noel

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is paying a consultant $500,000 per year to coach school leaders, but some board members have raised questions about the arrangement’s effectiveness and at least one asked about existing family ties to CMS. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools entered into a $325,000 consulting contract in October, and the board voted to increase it by $175,000 in March.
Appalachian State international student's visa restored after federal reversal

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

A large topiary 'A' shines in the afternoon sun during the AppState Mountaineers' football practice at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The visa of an international student at Appalachian State University has been reinstated by the federal government after being initially revoked.
Appalachian State international student’s visa restored after federal reversal

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Rebecca Noel

If you work for a government agency, nonprofit or other agency, and changes are affecting or could affect you, The Charlotte Observer wants to hear from you. Use our contact form to share information. Sign-up here. The visa of an international student at Appalachian State University has been reinstated by the federal government after being initially revoked.
Visas of 6 UNC Charlotte international students restored after federal reversal

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

UNC Charlotte says the visas of six international students have been restored after being abruptly revoked. [email protected] The visas of six UNC Charlotte international students have been restored after initially being terminated by the Trump administration, according to a university spokesperson. The university is communicating with the students and recommends they continue to work with immigration attorneys for guidance, the spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer Monday.
Visas of 6 UNC Charlotte international students restored after federal reversal

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Rebecca Noel

The visas of six UNC Charlotte international students have been restored after initially being terminated by the Trump administration, according to a university spokesperson. The university is communicating with the students and recommends they continue to work with immigration attorneys for guidance, the spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer Monday. The six students, who are citizens of India and Nigeria, learned their visas had been terminated early this month.
CMS is shifting some teachers into new roles and schools next year. Some are leaving instead

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers say communication from the district has been inconsistent and impersonal" after it made plans to move teachers into new roles because of a budget crunch. [email protected] Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools raised its student-teacher ratio in some grades next school year but assured teachers that none would lose employment as a result. Educators say they've been left in the dark about what's next.
Why a former Charlotte Democrat joined Trump for an executive order signing

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | Rebecca Noel

Annette Albright, North Carolina school teacher and former corrections officer, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in July 2024. Albright said she's now working with the federal Department of Education on school discipline reform. USA TODAY NETWORK President Donald Trump signed a series of education-related executive orders Wednesday, and a former Democrat and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board candidate was there to watch him do it.