CMS recaps first week of school
The Charlotte Mecklenburg School District wrapped up its first week by hosting an end-of-week news conference.
The district covered everything from traffic to school safety to ensuring athlete eligibility.
“I am pleased that this has been a relatively smooth start of the school year, and we will do our best to ensure this is the case throughout the year,” Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh said.
At the news conference, district officials went into detail about how well the 2022-2023 school year is going.
The traffic issues around the new Palisades High School were addressed.
“We’ve been able to come up with a great traffic pattern that, as you’ve seen through the week, has lessened the traffic, so we’re getting there,” CMS Police Chief Lisa Mangum said.
ALSO READ: New CMS high school causing traffic headaches in southwest Charlotte
Chief Operations Officer Brian Schultz did not report any issues with school buses, but the transportation department said it is still dealing with 36 vacancies.
“This is the first time in over 12 months that our pipeline that we see in the next two months actually exceeds our vacancy,” Schultz said.
School officials also spoke about safety as a top priority.
In addition to the ongoing installation of weapons detectors, CMS also launched the “say something anonymous reporting system” this week.
“We have student trainings that take place. That’s a requirement of this. So we make sure that our students are informed (on) how to make an anonymous report,” Schultz said.
And with the start of the new school year comes the beginning of football season.
Three CMS high schools had their seasons forfeited last year due to player eligibility issues.
District officials said they called all coaches and athletic directors in before the season began.
ALSO READ: State education leaders release performance grades for CMS
“(We) basically just said, ‘Folks, make sure you’re checking. If there’s a question, fact-check. No questions asked. Look for anybody that comes into the school. Follow up on registrations,’” Deputy Superintendent Matt Hayes said.
Hayes shared a message to any parents or students who plan to not take the new CMS athletics action plan seriously.
“Please understand that if you are found in violation of that, that you have to sit 365. And that is 365 on the next calendar year you’re ineligible. Even if you move back home to your home school, you are done,” Hayes said.
Channel 9 has received complaints from guest teachers and 10-month non-certified staff members with CMS who said they have not been paid.
They said they were supposed to receive their paychecks on Aug. 31.
Hattabaugh said they are addressing those concerns with an off-cycle payroll.
(WATCH BELOW: State education leaders release performance grades for CMS)
