CMS board members report threats after firing of Dr. Crystal Hill

CHARLOTTE — Multiple Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board members have reported receiving threats following the board’s recent vote to fire former Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill.

The threats have heightened security concerns for public officials amid ongoing controversy surrounding district leadership.

The threats follow recent turmoil within the school board after trustees voted to terminate Hill’s contract.

During a recent meeting, police removed an individual after Vice Chair Liz Monterrey Duvall reported being threatened, while Stephanie Sneed cited threats to her personal safety when announcing her resignation as board chair.

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The confrontation involving Vice Chair Liz Monterrey Duvall occurred during a school board meeting shortly after the board voted to fire Hill. Monterrey Duvall publicly pointed out a person who was messaging her while the meeting was underway.

“That gentleman right there is texting me. And he’s bullying me, and he’s threatening me,” Monterrey Duvall said. “I don’t feel safe.” Police officers subsequently removed the individual from the meeting.

Former Board Chair Sneed also pointed to threats when announcing her decision to resign as chair. In a statement detailing her resignation, Sneed addressed the mounting tension surrounding the board.

“I am deeply troubled by how visceral this has become, fueled by media coverage and social media commentary and by the threats against my personal safety,” Sneed said.

Security experts say law enforcement agencies follow specific protocols when public officials face threats. Walter Kimble, a retired police chief and current security consultant, emphasized the constant diligence required to protect public servants.

“They, meaning the suspect or actors, only have to be successful once,” Kimble said. “We have to be successful every time.”

Kimble stated that law enforcement officers typically document and evaluate threats to assess their severity and adjust protective measures.

“They’re going to be looking at really the whole gambit of the threat assessment protocol,” Kimble said. He added that security evaluations routinely encompass entire governing bodies, not just individuals who have directly received threats.

“With the protectees, the school board members and the rest of the school board that, this is important, have not received the threat yet but may still be a target,” Kimble said.

Kimble also noted that online platforms have changed how threats are delivered to public figures during controversial debates.

“Many more of these threats are put forth through this medium that we really didn’t have before,” Kimble said.

Inquiries were sent to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to confirm whether official police reports have been filed or if extra security measures are being provided for board members.

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