The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education elected 16 members to the Community Equity Committee during the May 10 regular meeting. The committee monitors equity data and serves as a thought partner for the Board for issues of equity in CMS.

The newly elected members will serve two-year terms. 

“We appreciate the willingness of these committee members to help us do the hard work of making equity a reality,” said Lenora Shipp, who is the Board’s representative on the Equity Committee. “This work is critical to our success in educating all children. Thank you to all of the committee members for their service now and in the future.”

Earlier on May 10, Board Chair Elyse Dashew and CMS Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh presented the district’s budget request to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. The Board is seeking a total of $578.4 million from the county, an increase of $40.4 million over last year’s appropriation.

Dashew told the commissioners that more than half of the $40.4 million increase covers the costs of state mandates, such as the state’s raises for principals, certified and non-certified staff, as well as increases in the costs of health insurance and retirement. The remainder, she said, funds new schools, growth in enrollment, preventive maintenance and academic programs.

“This budget is closely aligned with our Goals and Guardrails, which is part of our Student Outcomes Focused Governance,” Dashew said. “This alignment ensures that we are focused on the things that will help move our students ahead academically.”