'Successful start': New CMS superintendent happy with kick off to new school year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's back to school for 150,000 children, in one district alone.

Newly appointed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston said so far, it's been a successful start to the year.

He said there is a teacher in every classroom, though there are still some regular, full-time teacher slots open.

Bus driver vacancies are still relatively low at 39 openings, but Winston said he expects that number to drop in the coming days.

This is a special day for students, parents and teachers across our district as they started a new school year, but it's also significant for Winston -- it's his first day of school as superintendent.

As he makes visits across the district Monday, Winston said he is looking for teachers and students to start building relationships. He also said he wanted to see teaching and learning.

"Are we building relationships with students? With adults, teachers? Are we establishing these protocols, those norms that will help sustain throughout the school? But, the other very important thing I look for is do we have teaching and learning taking place on the first day," Winston said.

As for any transportation delays, Winston said he had not heard of any specific delays, but does anticipate there will be some and asks the community for patience.

He said he would rather they be delayed than get anything wrong.

Cox Media Group