Matthews approves resolution, prepared to break away from CMS

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By Stephanie Maxwell

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Matthews town leaders are making demands when it comes to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student assignment plan.

Those leaders unanimously passed a resolution Monday night, saying they're prepared to leave the school district unless CMS guarantees students will be sent to neighborhood schools.

"I think that would be a very bad for CMS," said Jeremy Stephenson, who is part of the group CMS Families United for Public Education. "It definitely pits an us versus them, which we don't need at all."

Commissioners said they will form a task force to find out what parents want, and what the town must do to get the state's approval and form an independent district.

“I am absolutely in favor of a separation from CMS if they don't listen to what we as parents, family members and community leaders have said," said Commissioner Christopher Melton.

The resolution also mentions three possible solutions, including:

  • Matthews forming its own district
  • Creating town-controlled charter schools
  • Breaking CMS into three districts -- north Mecklenburg, middle Mecklenburg and southern Mecklenburg

Leaders in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson have passed resolutions asking the district to make sure every child in their respective towns has a seat in a neighborhood school as well.

CMS board members released the results of the student assignment survey last week. More than 27,000 people responded.

CLICK HERE to read more about the results.

Matthews-Mint Hill Charter School will be at max capacity when it opens in the fall, and it's getting a lot of interest from parents --- who are watching what happens with CMS student assignment.

"We already have a waiting list of 697 students," said Eddie Sieber, the charter school's board president.

That's after accepting close to 650 students for kindergarten through sixth grade. Sieber is a supporter of school choice.

He anticipates even more interest if CMS  goes through with a controversial redistricting plan.

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