Melissa Easley – CMS School Board – District 1

Full Answers Provided by the Candidate:

1. Should CMS remain county-wide or be split into smaller districts?

I believe CMS should remain county-wide. Splitting into smaller districts would only widen inequities between wealthier and lower-income communities. We already see challenges with segregation, especially in the Charlotte Crescent area, and while that’s not my direct district, I still have to make decisions that impact those students.

That said, I understand the desire for more local voice and flexibility. That’s why I’ve worked hard to meet families where they are—through my Chalk Talk newsletter and monthly Minute with Melissa sessions—so parents and educators can be heard directly. My job as a school board member is to represent the vision and values of the whole community, even when we differ in ideas, because at the end of the day, we all want what’s best for our students.

In an ideal world, where equity and equality are truly happening across the district, I’d be open to exploring what smaller models might look like. But it’s also important to note that this is not a decision CMS makes—the state controls district boundaries, since in North Carolina school districts are generally organized at the county level (with very few exceptions).

2. Is the superintendent hiring too many from outside the system?

What matters most is balance. We should be building up strong leaders from within CMS, because they know our students, families, and community best. At the same time, there are moments when hiring from outside can fill gaps or bring in new perspectives—but those hires must be the best of the best and not the result of nepotism or favoritism.

I also believe families deserve transparency in how these decisions are made, which is why I provide plain-language updates through Chalk Talk and hold my monthly Minute with Melissa sessions. Even when community members disagree with me, I welcome their input, because my responsibility is to represent every family—not just those who vote for me.

3. Is CMS relying too heavily on consultants?

Yes, at times CMS has leaned too heavily on consultants. There are places where consultants have been helpful—like our CELC business consultants, who improved back-end efficiency and supported community initiatives such as the bond and teacher housing. The shift to Student Outcomes Focused Governance (SOFG) was also a complete change in how our board operates, and in the beginning it made sense to have outside guidance. But I’ve seen consultant involvement taper off over time, which is how it should be.

Their role should be temporary and purposeful, not permanent. For example, through our Council of the Great City Schools, we’re able to connect with other large urban and rural districts across the country to share ideas and best practices. That kind of collaboration is valuable. But CMS should not be hiring consultants for everything, and we should always prioritize listening to our own educators, staff, and families first.

That’s why I’ve pushed for transparency, accountability, and making sure taxpayer dollars go where they do the most good—into classrooms and student learning, not endless consulting contracts. And I’ve paid a price for asking those questions, because there’s been clear pressure to replace me with someone who would rubber-stamp instead of hold the system accountable.

4. Is the current transportation/shuttle stop system effective?

Transportation is one of CMS’s biggest challenges right now. Families are dealing with late buses, unreliable routes, and shuttle stops that don’t always work as intended. I don’t think the system is effective as it currently stands.

For me personally, when my own child attended a CMS magnet school last year, the express stop was close, safe, and not a huge inconvenience. But I still pushed back when this system was implemented the year I was elected, even though the decision had been made before I joined the board. I raised concerns about safety, accessibility, and making sure younger middle school students weren’t required to use express stops. Because of that push, the policy was changed so that now only high school (and 6–12 magnets) use express stops. This year, my middle school daughter has a regular home stop, which is how it should be.

At the same time, the previous system of giving everyone a home stop wasn’t working either—we simply don’t have enough drivers to cover that. Other districts, like Wake County, cut their busing altogether for magnets or reduced service to every other day. CMS chose a different path by trying express stops for magnet schools only. After three years, it’s better than it was, but still not ideal.

The root issue is funding and staffing. We’ve tried solutions, like offering free bus driver certification classes with a six-month stay requirement, but we can’t compete with higher-paying jobs like CATS, which offers over $24 an hour. This year we conducted the first compensation study in 18 years, and with county support we were able to raise all employees to a minimum of $20 an hour. That’s progress, but transportation remains one of the biggest challenges we face.

5. What is your most Libertarian stance on education, and how would you implement it?

My most Libertarian stance is my commitment to transparency and accountability. Families deserve to know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent and whether those dollars are leading to better outcomes for students.

That’s why I publish my Chalk Talk newsletter to break down board decisions in plain language and hold open forums through Minute with Melissa. I make myself available to all families because I believe they should be actively involved in shaping education. I’ve supported and attended Dr. Hill’s Parent Advisory Council to hear concerns directly and bring ideas forward, and I’ve served as chair of the Municipal Education Advisory Committee (MEAC), where I worked with local elected officials to connect community voices to the decisions being made.

I believe in cutting bureaucracy where we can, directing resources into classrooms instead of overhead, and trusting educators and parents to make the best decisions for their children. This is a nonpartisan race, and I represent all families in my district—whether or not they vote for me. For me, community buy-in and involvement aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of good government.

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