CMS, charter schools, and the policy decisions shaping how Charlotte educates its children.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is the 18th largest district in the United States — 140,000+ students, 170+ schools, a multi-billion dollar budget, and a board that decides who gets quality education and who doesn't. The Charlotte Mercury covers CMS with the same accountability lens we bring to city council: board votes, budget fights, school closures, leadership decisions, and the data that tells you whether the system is working.
What We Cover
| Section | Focus |
|---|---|
| CMS Board of Education | Votes, policy changes, budget approvals, and board member accountability |
| Superintendent & Leadership | Cabinet decisions, principal appointments, district strategy |
| School Budgets & Finance | Per-pupil spending, capital projects, teacher pay, bond referendums |
| Curriculum & Policy | Academic programs, testing, DEI policy, gifted education, discipline |
| School Safety | Incidents, security policy, mental health resources |
| Charter & Choice | Charter school performance, enrollment, and the politics of school choice |
| Higher Education | UNCC, CPCC, Johnson C. Smith, and their role in Charlotte's future |
| State Education Policy | NC General Assembly decisions that filter into CMS classrooms |
Key Data We Track
- CMS Board of Education meeting calendar and vote records
- Annual school performance grades (NC DPI)
- CMS budget submissions vs. Mecklenburg County appropriations
- School-level enrollment, demographics, and demographic shifts
- Teacher vacancy rates by school
Related Coverage
- Government — County controls the CMS budget process
- Community — Neighborhood schools and rezoning
- The Charlotte Mercury — Full newsroom