Music, dancing and cheering kicked off this year’s Back-to-School Leadership Convocation, held Aug. 4 at Rocky River High School. From the opening numbers by the Rocky River High School Band to high-energy introductions of leadership from 11 school performance areas, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administrators were engaged and inspired to build upon their recent successes in the year ahead.

The convocation theme was “Endless Possibilities: Leadership, Innovation and the Power of What’s Next!” In his welcome message, James Garvin, executive director of Educational Leadership Development, told participants, “The future is bright, and the power of what’s next begins with us.”

The event featured a number of speakers, including Stephanie Sneed, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education chair; CMS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight; and Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, deputy superintendent of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Pitre-Martin gave the keynote address on the state’s strategic plan and the district’s role in driving forward those goals. 

Dr. Balknight’s address included the charge for endless possibilities in 2026-27. Now entering the midpoint of the CMS Strategic Plan 2024-29, she said there will be reflection about the work they are doing, and “everything is going to be more challenging. But we are a team, and when you have a team that can row together, we can do anything.”

Participants were encouraged to lead with care – take care of themselves, their teams, their students and their families – and to always reach higher.

“The most important thing is that our kids have their basic needs met,” Dr. Balknight said. “Let us never lose sight of the reason we are here – our students.”