Crystal Hill, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' chief of staff, was appointed interim superintendent Tuesday.

Crystal Hill, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ chief of staff, has been appointed interim superintendent by the district’s board.

The school board approved Hill’s contract – her salary will be $21,666.67 per month when she takes over on Jan. 1 – and the committee charter during a special meeting held via Zoom on Dec. 20. Hill succeeds current interim superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh, who is stepping aside due to family considerations.

“Serving as interim superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is a responsibility that I do not take lightly or for granted, Hill said. “It’s often said, ‘to whom much is given, much will be required,’ and in this role, I remain committed to making the best decisions on behalf of our students, their families, staff and this entire community.”

CMS also announced Tuesday the establishment of a charter for the committee that will conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent.

Hill, who was named chief of staff in May, she oversees the Office of Strategy Management and Title IX as well as chief adviser to the superintendent. She is also the liaison between the school board and CMS’s executive staff.

“Dr. Hill has the skills we need to keep the train on the tracks, and in fact to increase momentum towards improving student outcomes,” school board chair Elyse Dashew said.

Before joining CMS, Hill was chief academic officer for Cabarrus County Schools, where she led the district in achieving the highest level of academic performance in its history.

Hill, who has 25 years’ experience in education, started her career as a first-grade teacher in Guilford County Schools before advancing to assistant principal, principal and executive director of elementary education and federal programs in Mooresville Graded School District. She was curriculum coordinator in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and personnel director for Cabarrus County Schools.

Hill, who serves on the Leading on Opportunity Council, co-chaired the North Carolina State Board of Education Literacy Task Force in 2020.

A two-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in instructional technology), Hill earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.

“Dr. Hill knows where we are as a district, and as a chief of staff has shown the ability to drive progress towards academic goals,” said board vice chair Stephanie Sneed, who represents District 4. “I am confident that as interim superintendent she will take the appropriate and necessary steps to move our students to college or career readiness.”

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