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Matthews task force meets to discuss splitting from CMS

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A task force set up in the town of Matthews met Monday to discuss splitting from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The town is considering splitting with the district over the student assignment plan.

The task force made a decision Monday night to explore a campus arrangement of charter schools.

“Concern continues about the politics of CMS decisioning process and any negative associated with decision that could impact bond support,” a task force member said. “Taking time in this process is important. Discussions covered the success of a recently opened Matthews located charter school.”

Phase two of the plan focuses on school boundary lines and high school feeder patterns, but Matthews town leaders are concerned it could mean moving children from neighborhood schools.

The task force is considering three options -- Matthews forming its own district, creating town-controlled charter schools and breaking CMS into three districts: north Mecklenburg, middle Mecklenburg and southern Mecklenburg.

The goal of the student assignment plan is to increase diversity and improve achievement, and CMS leaders will hold community engagement sessions on the plan throughout the week.

The first such meeting is Monday night at Hopewell High School. There will be another at South Mecklenburg High School high on Tuesday, at Independence High School on Wednesday and at Harding University High School on Thursday.

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