Commissioners, school board focus on working together with kids in mind

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County commissioners met Monday night to talk about school performance and how to improve results.

The meeting was a chance for commissioners and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education to reset.

“We should all be working together for our children,” said Elaine Powell, Mecklenburg County vice chair. “So, if I could do anything better, I don’t want to be so defensive.”

Mecklenburg County and the CMS Board of Education have had a bit of a rocky relationship.

The county kept tens of millions of dollars from CMS during the budget process and demanded a plan for school and student outcome improvements.

CMS eventually got that money back through mediation but committed to providing more information.

This meeting is part of the process.

“I think when we are at odds with each other, it is the kids that feel the brunt of it,” said Elyse Dashew, CMS board chair.

Dashew wants the two boards to harness their energy into what is best for the kids.

“Old habits die hard and sometimes feelings get hurt and it takes a while to heal from that,” Dashew said. “But I think this was a good first step.”

County Chairman George Dunlap said it was helpful to hear expectations from board members and that the meeting is the first of many.

“I thought it was a good first step in bringing back a collegial working relationship for both the boards,” Dunlap said.

The meeting was held at the Valerie C. Woodard Conference Center.

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