Commissioner writes to CMS superintendent expressing concern about remote instruction

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County Commissioner Vilma Leake wrote a letter to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston about the district's decision for a mostly virtually learning plan.

“It has been brought to my attention by teachers, news articles, parents and others in the community that over 3,000 students were not taught through the virtual process this summer, which means parents found.

themselves unable to effectively instruct their children or receive needed support from trained educators for the students who need it the most,” she wrote. “So here we are again, neglecting the children who need to be in a more structured environment with trained teachers in order to receive a proper education.”

Leake went onto write,”Yes, we are suffering from a virus, but we are suffering even greater when we cannot read, write and do arithmetic.”

Leake is also calling for a joint meeting between county commissioners and the CMS School Board on the matter.

>>Learn about CMS’ plan to reopen schools here.

Leake’s full letter:

Dear Superintendent Winston,

“It has been brought to my attention by teachers, news articles, parents and others in the community that over 3,000 students were not taught through the virtual process this summer. Which means parents found themselves unable to effectively instruct their children or receive needed support from trained educators for the students who need it the most.

“So here we are again, neglecting the children who need to be in a more structured environment with trained teachers in order to receive a proper education. My phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from concerned individuals on what is the best process and program for educating our children due to violence that has been recently occurring. To whom do we go and who do we hold accountable for being responsible to educate our children. I am speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. It is not about us versus them or them versus us. It is about giving a quality education to all the children in the district. It is not a personal issue, but about you placing yourself in a position to lead this school district equitably.

“Who else do we hold accountable, but you and the Board of Education? I have given names of young students with Education degrees and encouraged them to apply to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district but have yet to get a call to receive information on their application status. I have also given names of schools where talented students can be recruited, but no one has reached out to these schools either.

“I represent District 2, and I am answering the call that has been placed on me and it is my job to speak up and ask questions. You have a job too. It is about elected officials and other entities working together for the good of all, not Mecklenburg County versus Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Education is number one on our list. If not for black children who make up a greater percentage of the school district, people would not have jobs working for CMS. I hope you understand my plea and desire to be held accountable to the people who elected me, not to be quiet, but to speak up on their behalf as they hold me accountable.

“Meetings scheduled between the Board of County Commissioners and the School Board should be held. It should not be viewed as that we are picking on you. Is that what you say to your staff and school board when you hold them accountable, No. Accountability is the name of the game. The federal government, state government and grants financially support the education for this district. The one thing that you have forgotten is that what the county is doing is greater than what is required. There is no requirement for us to fully fund the school district.”

Yes, we are suffering from a virus, but we are suffering even greater when we cannot read, write and do arithmetic. How many students did we have job ready and college ready to graduate from the CMS school system this year? What will CMS do to accelerate the learning for the growing number of students who are currently under performing academically?

So, I ask you to readdress the plan for Mecklenburg County schools for the 2020 – 2021 school year. I am not talking about pupil assignment at this time. I am talking about making more than 30% of our children be on reading level. The scores are low, and they speak for themselves.

Thank you for your time and your energy. Please afford the community the best you have to offer.

Cox Media Group