Back-To-School: Family Advisory Council hopes to bridge gap between CMS and guardians

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board came under fire for their controversial decisions during the pandemic. A new advisory board hopes to loop parents and guardians into the conversation about their children and their education.

The Superintendent’s Parent and Family Advisory Council launched just in time for the new school year beginning on August 28.

The Council met for the first time in mid-August, one week before school began.

Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill says this council is in direct response to many parents accusing school leaders of not including parents in key decisions affecting their child’s education.

“That was a consistent message that we heard, be it individual concerns that were lifted at board meetings,” Dr. Hill said. “But then also my assessment and talking with our staff of where is the parents voice in our decision-making process, what are their inputs and there was no strategic way in which we were doing that.”

The Council is described as a leadership opportunity for parents to represent their specific learning community in the district. Members will provide feedback on reaching the goals and guardrails set by the school board.

Parents had to apply to partake in the council and were selected out of the applicants.

District officials told Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe the council members will actually work with the superintendent to craft strategies to ensure all students reach their potential.

The Council will meet once a quarter.

(WATCH: CMS to ban student cellphone use during class this year)

CMS to ban student cellphone use during class this year

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