By admin 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — In perhaps the final chapter in the months of turmoil for the leadership of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Board Chair Stephanie Sneed resigned from her position and Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill was fired Tuesday.
Read more Iran downplays indirect talks with US, and other Mideast developments
Sneed’s move was confirmed as the Board of Education began their meeting. There was an agenda item for the members to discuss removing her, but that item was removed at the outset.
Sneed will remain on the board as a regular member. The board voted 5-4 to fire Hill “for convenience.”
Those in favor of terminating Hill were Sneed, Dee Rankin, Charlitta Hatch, Shamaiye Haynes and Liz Monterrey-Duvall.
“This is a sad moment in the history of CMS,” said Dr. Monty Witherspoon, board member.
In a statement, the three said in part, “We will present our concerns and our position at the September 22 board meeting through its established process. Until then, we will make no further public comment on this matter.”
There were plenty of tense moments from Tuesday night’s meeting. The main message from board members is that they are willing to make leadership changes in order to gain back trust from parents and students.
“I think there have been a lot of distractions that have been in the media, in the news, and this board needs to take a stand,” said Hatch. “We need to have bold changes in order to re-focus what matters.”
Hatch is the one who brought about the motion at the meeting to terminate superintendent Dr. Hill’s employment. Hill was present before things got started but was not at the dais while the discussion about her future took place.
“I have had to make an incredibly difficult decision tonight, but that was not made in haste,” said Haynes. “It was made in order to help us to move forward.”
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight was appointed Acting Superintendent; she is set to retire on Jan. 1.
Read more Wake Forest to host fourth annual Mental Wellness Fair
Rankin was voted as the new board chair, and Monterrey-Duvall as vice-chair.
The Board shared this statement following Dr. Hill’s firing:
“Tonight, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted 5-4 to terminate Dr. Crystal Hill’s employment as Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for convenience, effective immediately. The Board has determined that a leadership transition is in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Under the terms of her employment contract, Dr. Hill is entitled to receive one year’s severance. …
We recognize that the events of recent months have created uncertainty for our employees, students, and families. Our priority now is to provide stability for the district, support our employees, and ensure that our schools remain focused on the education and well-being of every student.
The Board appreciates the service and leadership of Chair Sneed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and of Dr. Hill to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and recognizes the progress achieved during their respective tenures.”
The call for removal comes after a nearly $380,000 investigation into Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill, which prompted a two-month suspension and eventual return to her post in August.
Then late last week, Hill released a 200-page memo outlining concerns about contracts with a law firm that was giving money to a controversial former CMS executive.
The moves come despite CMS celebrating significant gains academically the last two school years.
Hill was hired as superintendent in July 2023 after serving in the interim role. The district has had six superintendents in the last 15 years.
Sneed was first elected to represent District 4 in November 2022 and reelected in 2025.
Dr. Hill Investigation Report
After the meeting, the Board released its findings from Dr. Hill’s weeks-long investigation during her temporary leave. The 18-page document gives a timeline of the investigation and details the allegations that prompted the probe, including “concerns involving workplace culture,
certain personnel decisions, the handling of vacant positions, and district contracting.”
The review found no evidence of “improper conduct” by Dr. Hill, and it did not “identify conflicts of interest or improper activity related to contracting by the Superintendent.”
Read more Sweet success: Butter Bakery’s heartfelt journey in Clayton
The full document can be found here.