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New CMS Superintendent Wilcox ready to listen after being sworn in

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools swore in new Superintendent Clayton Wilcox at the Government Center in uptown on Monday.

Despite the fact that he just took the reins, Wilcox has been here for months working with the board and now former Superintendent Ann Clark to ensure a smooth transition -- and he has a lot a lot on his plate.

After being sworn in, Wilcox told Channel 9 he's excited to lead the student assignment process, as some of the approved changes will begin this upcoming school year with more magnet options.

"I really do feel that beginning right after this ends, I can hit the ground running,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox spoke about the major student assignment changes he knows the community is anxious to see in action and some still not fully on board.

(New Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools S

uperintendent

Clayton Wilcox was sworn in)

"I don't want to hold out the hope for people that we're going to change the plan, but how we go about implementing the plan and who we invite to do certain things might mitigate some of those concerns,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox said he sees the school board's plan as progress, but also knows he must continue to focus on closing the achievement gap.

“We have to really look very carefully at the things that we're doing. Some things we're going to have to stop doing, some things were going to have to double down on,” Wilcox said. “I absolutely think that literacy is a key."

Parents told Channel 9 they are excited for a new leader.

"I've been down here for 20 years and I think there need to be some changes in ideas,” said Bernie Kubler.

Kubler said he is hoping Wilcox will listen and connect with parents over the student assignment changes.

"How that is going to impact children from the lower-income areas of town and how this is all going to work out, I think there are still a lot of questions that are unanswered,” Kubler said.

From the beginning, Wilcox has said he wants to make CMS a district of choice. As far as closing the achievement gap, he said the board made progress with the student assignment plan, but that the district needs to find out what's not working in failing schools.

CMS has struggled with teacher retention over the years and Wilcox told Channel 9 he plans to work on each school's culture to make sure teachers feel supported.

When asked what he plans to accomplish in his first 100 days, Wilcox said his top priority will be to listen.

“What I hope that they’ll see is that I have an open ear, that I’m out in the community, that I’m spending a great deal of time listening and really trying to make sure these schools are schools that reflect what our community wants,” he said.

For the past five years, Wilcox led Washington County, Maryland Public Schools. Then, he spent the last six months talking with CMS staff about his vision for the system.

Former Superintendent Ann Clark officially retired after 34 years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District.

In a one-on-one interview with Channel 9 last month, Clark said she plans to continue fighting for teachers, especially for the salary she believes they deserve.

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