The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education heard community ideas for the future of the school district in a forum before the June 22 meeting.
The forum, the second such meeting for a comprehensive review of CMS’ guiding principles, was held in the Government Center. The review, titled “The Case for Continuous Improvement: A Comprehensive Review of CMS,” is intended to align decision-making in transportation facilities use and funding with the goals of the district’s Strategic Plan 2014: Teaching Our Way to the Top.
The Board has asked for feedback from the public as it looks at plans. The first forum, held June 21 at Harding High, was “an excellent show of the commitment and interest in our students,” said Board Chairperson Eric C. Davis.
About 150 attendees offered their opinions and suggestions at the June 22 meeting. Among them:
The district must make school boundary decisions more predictable and understandable.- Every school must provide a quality education.
- To achieve real equity, diversity may have to be forced.
- The district needs an operational definition of diversity.
- Transportation issues can affect magnet programs.
- Student assignment should be driven by student success.
- All students benefit from inclusive education, which involves students of all learning abilities.
- There must be a clear, well-communicated plan for closing and consolidating schools that involves community partnerships.
- Parental involvement is key in improving education.
- Not capping the enrollment of home schools as they become overcrowded could be problematic.
- Look at successful schools and learn from them.
Members of the Board of Education must represent all students, not just those in their respective districts.- Diversity prepares children for global competition by preparing them to work with people from all backgrounds.
- Shuttle stops for magnet schools bring hardship on many parents, particularly those with children in several magnet programs.
- Each guiding principle comes with a price tag. The community and Board members must decide what their priorities are.
- The guiding principles that were determined five years ago may not fit the current economic climate.
Two more community forums will be held:
- Thursday, June 24, 6:30-8 p.m.
South Mecklenburg High (auditorium)
8900 Park Road
- Monday, June 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
Hopewell High (auditorium)
11530 Beatties Ford Road