How can CMS improve student performance? 2023 school board candidates offer answers

Committing to teacher development and using more technology are ways to boost student performance in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, according to candidates running for school board.

Fourteen people will be on the November ballot for the three at-large school board seats. At least two new faces will join the board because chair Elyse Dashew and at-large member Jennifer De La Jara didn’t file for reelection.

Candidates who filled out a Charlotte Observer questionnaire weighed in on student performance in the district, which showed improvement in the second post-pandemic year in reading and math scores. Performance data released in September for the 2022-23 school year also showed 58% of the district’s schools earned a school performance grade of an A, B or C.

“The district needs to be purposeful in hiring skilled teachers, and once hired they need to support the whole teacher approach,” said candidate Clara Kennedy Witherspoon, a retired educator who ran for a school board seat in 2022, “specifically teacher pay, professional development, and social and emotional wellness.”

Annette Albright, Claire Covington, Peggy Capehart, Tigress Sydney Acute McDaniel and Omar Harris did not respond to the questionnaire.

Learning gaps between students

Achievement gaps — particularly in the fourth grade — between white and Black and Hispanic students grew by double digits since 2003, according to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Known as the Nation’s Report Card, it’s not a test of all students, and CMS is part of a nationwide program of 26 urban districts.

First-time candidate Liz Monterrey says it is clear from community meetings that student achievement is the greatest priority.

“Leveraging my experience at a company at the forefront of AI and machine learning, I will advocate for the adoption of innovative technologies within CMS,” said Monterrey, the daughter of Cuban immigrants. “These technologies will enable personalized learning experiences for each student, identify at-risk students for targeted interventions, and provide data-driven insights to support our teachers.”

Monty Witherspoon, a minister who is making his third run for public office, says students who have less at home need more resources at school. He says local agencies must work to meet students’ needs both at home and at school.

Witherspoon said the district needs a robust teacher development and recruitment program to ensure classrooms are staffed with high-quality teachers. The same system should be in place for principals.

“I realize that we have a long way to go at the state level, but I believe that an innovative and responsive school board working in cooperation with educators can take some preliminary steps with the current resources,” Monty Witherspoon said. “Additionally, I will work with the School Board to restore a culture of high expectations for students, which costs $0.”

Reading and math scores

Incumbent Lenora Shipp, who is seeking her second stint on the school board, has been a part of the board’s discussion on goals for early literacy, elementary and middle school reading and math scores.

That discussion resulted in Student Outcomes Focused Government work that’s led to a focus on academic achievement and the monitoring of the board’s goals centered on student performance.

Shipp, who was elected in 2019, says the board needs to continue hiring and retaining the “brightest teachers and staff” and keep the focus on what’s best for all children.

“There is a need for consistency, fidelity of operations, systems and sustainability to continue moving the school system forward,” Shipp said. “This work along with the strong leadership of our superintendent is necessary.”

CMS’ board wants to increase the percentage of K-2 students meeting benchmarks for early literacy from 67% in June 2023 to 91% by June 2029. Board members also want to increasing the percentage of math students earning college and career ready scores from 27.4% in 2023 to 57% by 2029, and increase the percentage of rising seniors who are on track to “graduate from high school enrolled, enlisted or employed.”

Offer more summer, arts programs

Brian Kasher, a management planner and first-time candidate said student performance will improve when the district finds a way to engage students who don’t necessarily want to go to college. Kasher said improving overall literacy is key — as well as bolstered summer programs.

“Too often children advance and develop during the school year and then much of that progress is lost over the summer,” Kasher said. “We need to be working on engaging summer programs (for children) who need extra support.”

Shamaiye Haynes, a nonprofit leader who is a first-time candidate, said schools can’t forget about subjects beyond reading and math. Haynes wants students in all schools to have access to arts and enrichment opportunities. To do that, she says, a work group needs to be assigned to make recommendations to improve access to quality programs and teachers and school personnel should be surveyed to “identify creative ways to increase access.”