District Introduces New Leadership Model for Student Success

On Friday, Jan. 5, Dr. Crystal Hill, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, unveiled plans to restructure the district’s leadership configuration. Commencing with the 2024-25 academic year, the district is set to transition from its existing organizational framework to a new model that ensures the success of every student.

The district will undergo a transformative shift, moving from the current leadership model to an infrastructure centered around systems, processes and procedures. The district will pivot toward developing a framework that will deliver a core student experience, encompassing equitable resource allocation and an effective service delivery model to schools. This shift entails a move from managing nine learning communities to a model where leadership oversees schools based on education levels.

Under this new arrangement, leaders will be designated to manage elementary, middle, high and Pre-K-8 schools, thereby maintaining a focused approach on specific education models tailored to each grade level. This strategic change aligns with the district’s forward-looking approach for the 2024-25 school year, aiming to support 186 schools and provide an equitable education for the entire student population.

“Our new organizational excellence model supports and reinforces the culture we want, while delivering on the goals and staying within the guardrails adopted by the Board of Education,” said Dr. Hill.  Additionally, the new organizational model:

• Allows for efficiency by removing multiple connectors to solve problems.
• Provides necessary support services to schools.
• Focuses on meaningful, contextualized support for school leaders.
• Emphasizes accountability and collaboration.
• Addresses the all-important staffing challenges, specifically teacher recruitment.

Most of these changes will become effective July 1, 2024. Announcing the changes now gives the district time to prepare for the 2024-25 academic year. There are some moves that will become effective before July 1 as some of the district’s challenges, such as teacher and staff recruitment, require ongoing attention.

Over the next few months, the district’s senior leadership team, under the superintendent’s guidance, will conduct interviews for positions within the new organizational structure. Open positions will be posted on the district’s career pages. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.