CMS chair Sneed puts school board ‘on notice’ as three members try to remove her
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board Chair Stephanie Sneed alleges her time as chair has involved “bullying” and “discrimination” as members prepare to vote on removing her as their leader next week.
Read more Reward grows for tips in notorious Charlotte shootout that left 4 people dead
The board will vote at its next regular meeting on Sept. 22.
Sneed said the motion will be presided over by Vice Chair Dee Rankin in an email to fellow board members Friday. A source close to the situation confirmed the contents of the email.
“This communication is intended to place the board on notice,” it stated. “I am formally asserting that I have been subjected to unlawful targeting, bullying, discrimination, harassment and retaliation in connection with my service on the board.”
The email stated that three board members requested the vote: Cynthia Stone of district 5, at-large member Monty Witherspoon and at-large member Lenora Shipp.
Stone told The Charlotte Observer Monday that she, Witherspoon and Shipp have agreed not to comment on the situation publicly ahead of the Sept. 22 meeting.
Sneed did not immediately respond to attempts to reach her for comment.
In order to make a leadership change, a majority of the nine-member board must vote in favor of it. Sneed has served as chair since she took office in December 2023.
Read more In a reversal, NC Health Plan moves some Atrium hospitals to mid-tier for 2027
Board members appear split. District 1 representative Charlitta Hatch told the Observer she does not support a leadership change right now.
“I support Chair Sneed and Vice Chair Rankin and their continued leadership of this board,” she said. “I do not believe a change in board leadership at this moment would serve our students, employees or community well.”
The motion comes on the heels of a lengthy and expensive summer investigation into Superintendent Crystal Hill, regarding “administrative and operational oversight.” The school board voted Aug. 11 to return Hill to her job but remained tight-lipped about the probe. The board’s investigation cost taxpayers more than $379,000.
The board has promised to release a report on the investigation and its findings by the end of September.
“At a time when our district needs stability and confidence in its leadership, we should be especially careful that our actions demonstrate the transparency, accountability and good governance we expect from the system we oversee.”
Read more Mac and cheese favorites, Latin food deals and a new steakhouse in Charlotte
