Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools places superintendent on leave

CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Supt. Crystal Hill has been placed on paid leave during an investigation into "matters of administrative and operational oversight" at the nation's 16th-largest school district.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Supt. Crystal Hill has been placed on leave while the district investigates “matters involving administrative and operational oversight.” 

The district Board of Education announced its action in an email statement, adding Hill’s leave is with pay. Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight will take on Hill’s responsibilities.

“The Board’s responsibility is to ensure appropriate oversight and accountability across the district while supporting the continued operation of our schools,” the district’s statement read. “Because this is an active personnel matter, the Board is limited in what it can discuss publicly at this time.”

Hill, who joined CMS in 2022 as chief of staff, was promoted to the top job a year later, making her the first Black woman to lead the nation’s 16th-largest school district at more than 143,000 students and a budget of more than $2 billion.  Her four-year contract pays $300,000 annually. 

CMS has struggled with administrative stability over the last two decades with nine full-time and interim superintendents since 2006 when Peter Gorman was appointed superintendent. Ironically, Gorman is the longest-serving superintendent during that stretch at five years.

Hill succeeded Earnest Winston, who was fired by the school board in 2022 after two years on the job. 

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