CMS releases five-year strategic plan

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools released a new five-year strategic plan on Monday morning.

CMS superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill outlined four key areas. They can include early literacy in grades three through eight, math and post-secondary readiness.

Parent Darius Moore is one of hundreds of parents to learn from CMS how they plan to achieve their goals set out in their five-year plan.

“Amazing experience for us. But I’ve heard varying experiences from parents,” Moore said.

The goals include having 25% more K-8 students reading at or above national standards, nearly doubling their number of students scoring college career ready on their math assessments. The district intends to make sure students are more likely to have a job when they leave school, enroll in the military go to college after they graduate, all by 2029.

CMS intends to use those goals by using their nearly funded $2 billion dollar budget to retain and attract teachers, keep schools safe and engage with each child.

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“We have a belief that all students can and will be successful,” Dr. Hill said. “When we look in the faces of every single student, regardless of what they look like, regardless of where they come from, we believe they can achieve at a high standard.”

Moore thinks the plan is ambitious, but says that’s the mindset the school district needs.

“It’s good to see that they have something in place for it in writing,” Moore said. “I think the worry from parents alike is that their child isn’t getting that individual focus. They’re not having their talents catered to, or their passions.”

Dr. Hill added Monday she will ask for teacher pay increases with each new budget

The strategic plan was created through community input and data.

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