CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill made her first public appearance Tuesday following her reinstatement by the school board after a weekslong investigation.
The school board previously placed Hill on paid administrative leave and spent $100,000 to hire an outside law firm to conduct an investigation into her.
Board members subsequently voted in a closed session to restore Hill to her position ahead of the upcoming school year.
District leaders instructed officials to limit questions during the public appearance to back-to-school preparations rather than the circumstances surrounding the superintendent’s suspension.
However, Channel 9 reporter Joe Bruno questioned district officials regarding transparency and the board’s actions.
Superintendent Crystal Hill expressed confidence in district leadership and staff as the school system prepares for the upcoming academic year.
“I feel very confident about my leadership and the leadership of our team. I think it is important to remember we have 18,000 employees. Things don’t just happen; people make them happen. We made sure we have the very best employees in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. We are aligned. We are a team. We are ready to go,” Hill said.
Hill stated that she promises to address her leave at a later point, though she did not specify when that would occur.
Reactions among school board leadership remained guarded during the appearance.
CMS board member Cynthia Stone declined to comment when asked whether the investigation into Hill was appropriate or whether Hill was performing well in her role.
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