HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — The town of Huntersville is continuing to study the possibility of forming its own charter school or seeking a split from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Huntersville leaders say their schools are overcrowded and not being prioritized for future construction by CMS.
[ALSO READ: CMS parents discuss charter schools in Huntersville]
Now that state law says the town can form its own charter school, a committee is trying to figure out if that is the best option.
"This is the greatest gift this town has been given in generations," committee member and former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett said. "It has the opportunity to change education not just here but as a model for North Carolina."
The five options being considered:
- Doing nothing
- Partnering with CMS
- Opening a charter
- Partnering with a charter
- Splitting from CMS and creating a new school district
The group says if north Mecklenburg County formed its own district, it would be the 23rd largest in the state.
The committee laid out pros and cons for all the choices, and Puckett believes the town board should not keep the status quo.
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"For me to do nothing is an absolute death wish in the future," Puckett said.
CMS government liaison Charles Jeter said the district is committed to working with local towns and cautioned against towns taking dramatic action.
"CMS remains committed to working with all the towns to have the best school district in the state," Jeter said. “We strongly believe that doing so together is better for all parties and that attempts to break off the district into pieces will have unintended consequences that could last a generation."
While all of the speakers Monday night shared concerns about overcrowding, some expressed concern about a lack of diversity depending on what the town decides.
"I want my daughter to have diversity in school," a parent said. "She's blonde hair and blue eyes. I don't want everyone looking like her."
The earliest a new charter would be able to open is fall 2022. The board is revisiting the issue on May 20.
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