Charlotte, July 22, 2025

News Summary

Crystal Hill has been appointed as the new superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools after a contentious search process. The Board of Education voted 6-3 in favor of her four-year contract. Hill, who has served as interim superintendent since January 2023, faces significant challenges including achievement gaps and declining enrollment. Her appointment has drawn mixed reactions regarding the transparency of the selection process, reflecting the board’s intent to improve the district’s performance amidst political pressures and community expectations.

Charlotte

Crystal Hill has been appointed as the new superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) following a controversial search process. The Board of Education voted 6-3 in favor of her four-year contract during an emergency meeting held on May 19, 2023. The vote was notable for its lack of discussion and for the dissenting votes from board members Jennifer De La Jara, Summer Nunn, and Lisa Cline.

The Board plans to officially introduce Hill at a news conference later on the same day of her appointment. Hill has been serving as the interim superintendent since January 1, 2023, and was selected from a pool of 39 applicants during a national search that began in January. Despite this search, the decision to hire from within has drawn criticism regarding the transparency of the process.

Background of Crystal Hill

Hill’s involvement with CMS began in May 2022 when she was appointed chief of staff. In that role, she oversaw the Office of Strategy Management and Title IX and managed the cabinet for former superintendent Earnest Winston. Hill has a diverse educational background, having served in various capacities for over 25 years, starting her career as a first-grade teacher. She has held positions including assistant principal, principal, executive director of elementary education, and curriculum coordinator. Hill holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, along with a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.

Significance of Appointment

CMS is the second-largest school district in North Carolina, serving over 140,000 students. The school district faces a myriad of challenges, including significant turnover in the superintendent position, achievement gaps between Black and Latino students, and declining enrollment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous superintendent, Earnest Winston, was dismissed in April 2022, following a series of controversies surrounding his management, including issues related to sexual assault allegations. His severance package totaled $576,800 over two years.

Hill’s appointment is part of a broader plan by the school board to address academic challenges within the district and to restore trust among the community. The previous selection process involved interviewing six candidates and selecting four for follow-up interviews, which reflects the board’s attempt to find a suitable leader. However, the 6-3 vote is significant considering that CMS appointments for superintendents are typically unanimous.

Challenges Ahead

As Hill embarks on her new role, she faces immediate challenges, including addressing issues of school safety, managing a $2.9 billion bond campaign, and responding to concerns over curriculum changes from parents. There is also an urgent need to improve the recruitment and retention of teachers amidst growing competition from surrounding schools.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators has voiced its support for Hill, emphasizing the need to focus on the well-being of students and staff. Nevertheless, the community’s reaction has been mixed, with some stakeholders urging for more transparency in the hiring process and expressing apprehension about the decision to promote from within.

The CMS board will need to navigate political pressures from various stakeholders while addressing the concerns and expectations of parents and educators alike as they work toward improving the district’s performance in the coming years.

Key Facts at a Glance

• New Superintendent: Crystal Hill
• Vote Count: 6-3 in favor of her appointment
• Interim Superintendent: Since January 1, 2023
• Previous Superintendent: Earnest Winston (fired April 2022)
• Number of Applicants: 39

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Additional Resources

• Charlotte Ledger
• WCNC
• Axios Charlotte
• Charlotte Observer
• Google Search: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Author: HERE Charlotte

The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.