The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education voted 8-1 Tuesday night to deny Superintendent Crystal Hill's $2.1 billion budget for the 2026-2027 school year. Hill has until May 12 to bring back a revised version. The board did not say in open session what it wants changed.
The basics
- Vote: 8-1. At-Large board member Monty Witherspoon was the only board member to support the budget as proposed.
- The county ask: $699 million from Mecklenburg County — about $31.1 million more than last year. That includes $8.8 million for an average 5 percent raise to the local teacher salary supplement.
- State piece unknown. The plan assumes a 3 percent state-driven raise to base teacher salary. The North Carolina General Assembly hasn't passed a state budget.
- Fewer hires this year. CMS plans to hire roughly 200 fewer employees, citing a roughly 1.7 percent drop in enrollment.
- What's next: Revised budget due May 12. A special-called meeting is likely before then.
After the vote, Hill asked the board four times for clarity on what to amend. Chair Stephanie Sneed declined to discuss specifics in open session, then adjourned.
Full reporting in The Charlotte Mercury:
CMS Board Denies Hill's $2.1B Budget 8-1, Gives Her Two Weeks Without Saying What to Change