CMS Considering Changes At 32 Schools

Dozens of local schools could see big changes, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education said Tuesday. The decision is the board's first step toward restructuring the entire district.

The board unveiled a list of 32 schools that it will examine as it works to lessen the expected budget gap for the 2011-12 school year. (Click here to see the full list.)

The schools on the list are all under consideration for some sort of change. The changes could range from the minor, such as implementing new programs, to the significant, such as changing boundaries or closing schools all together, CMS leaders said. They stressed that not every school on the list will see the same change, but that all will likely see some type of change.

"Clearly we can't close 32 schools," CMS planning specialist Dennis Lacaria said. "The changes could range from closure to consolidation to nothing at all, in all honesty."

The list includes a diverse mix of schools. Some are over-crowded, while others are at less than 50 percent capacity. In addition, some are considered high-performing, while others are low-performing.

School leaders will meet again on Thursday for another work session. Then, they could discuss more specific options for each school.

The public is invited to attend the meeting to learn more, but there won't be time allotted for public speaking. Click here for session times and dates.