CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners held their first public discussion Jan. 8 to review the 2026-27 budget year.
The meeting focused on the importance of the two boards working together to ensure continued success for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
A key piece of the discussion was teacher pay. The state sets teacher base pay and the county funds supplements to close pay gaps and retain educators.
Leaders also discussed using teacher housing as a recruitment and retention tool. CMS and Mecklenburg County are collaborating on a housing project to ensure teachers can work in the communities they serve.
Multiple CMS executives gave presentations:
• Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Beth Thompson reviewed 2024-25 student outcomes and the strategies that supported success.
• Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz provided an overview of how teacher salaries are determined and how beginning teacher wages compare to a living wage.
• Chief Operations Officer Tim Ivey gave an update on the community-supported 2023 bond.
“I cannot understate our gratitude for the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, our strongest partners in ensuring endless possibilities for all our students,” said Stephanie Sneed, school board chair. “We are so excited to work with the county on teacher pay supplement, educator housing and ensuring our students have pathways to higher education and entering the workforce through not only funding efforts but through intentional coordination and shared resources, facilities, programs and innovation.”
County staff also provided information:
• Director of Strategy and Innovation Michael Griswold reviewed quality of life indicators for the county’s sustainable future.
• Budget Director Adrian Cox gave an overview of the anticipated funding to meet the needs of the county’s citizens, including economic development, health and wellness, and community programs that support nonprofits assisting economically disadvantaged residents.
“The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners knows that our community’s long-term quality of life is inseparable from the strength of our public education system,” said Mark Jerrell, chair of the county commissioners. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, innovators and civic leaders, and we are committed to partnering with CMS to expand opportunity and ensure every child can reach their full potential.”