Matthews closer to creating own charter schools; CMS budget to be discussed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Matthews Board of Commissioners approved a bill Monday night that will allow them to create their own charter schools.

The majority of the commissioners voted in favor of House Bill 514. Channel 9 has reported that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is against the bill because school leaders said it could raise taxes and increase segregation.

On Tuesday morning, the Town of Matthews released the following statement:

The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted last evening (4-3) to support a Legislative Agenda. The approved agenda includes support for HB514. HB514 is a bill in the North Carolina General Assembly that would give certain localities the right to start their own charter school, should they choose to do so. Should HB514 eventually be signed into state law, it only gives the locality the right to create their own charter school - it does not mean that the Town of Matthews will take any action, let alone break away from CMS. 

The Town Board's vote was in no way a vote to break away from CMS. 

Should HB514 be signed into state law, extensive additional research and input from the community will be sought prior to the Town Board considering any additional action.

CMS Budget Discussions

CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox will discuss next year's budget with the school board one last time on Tuesday before it heads to county commissioners for approval next month.

CMS members will hold a budget workshop Tuesday afternoon before Wilcox presents his 2018-2019 budget to the school board Tuesday night.

Wilcox is requesting an additional $40 million for the upcoming school year, with $14 million of that targeted for school safety improvements like bulletproof doors, stronger glass windows, locks and cameras.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney has recommended adding metal detectors to schools but that wasn't in the superintendent's plan.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett told Channel 9 he would like to see CMS reallocate bond money intended for new schools.

Last fall, voters approved a $922 million bond to pay for several magnet schools.

Channel nine will be at the board meeting Tuesday evening and will have the latest on Eyewitness News at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Cox Media Group