CMS’s Superintendent Clayton Wilcox has just been suspended by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
The school district released the following statement:
“CMS can confirm that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has suspended Superintendent Clayton Wilcox. The suspension goes into effect today and Dr. Wilcox will continue to receive his salary while suspended. During this time, Earnest Winston will serve as Acting Superintendent. CMS remains focused on the priorities that matter most – our students, teaching and learning in every school as we look forward to the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot provide further details at this time.”
According to several CMS board members, Wilcox’s suspension stems from a number of state law and board policy violations he recently committed.
The time frame of the suspension has not yet been determined, sources say the length of the suspension will be up to Wilcox. He will continue to be paid his annual salary of $280,000 while under the suspension.
CMS’s Chief of Staff Earnest Winston will now serve as the Acting Superintendent until the suspension is lifted.
The CMS Board of Education sent out the following letter to the Charlotte community yesterday:
“Governance and stewardship of CMS executive leadership is a key function of the Board of Education and a responsibility entrusted to us by the public on behalf of over 147,000 students, their families, and 19,000 employees across 175 schools and facilities.
Guided by those responsibilities, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education announced the suspension of Superintendent Clayton Wilcox today, July 15, 2019. Under existing CMS policies, Dr. Wilcox will continue to receive his salary while suspended. During this time, CMS Chief Engagement Officer and Ombudsman Earnest Winston will serve as Acting Superintendent for our school district. Because this is a personnel matter, the Board cannot provide further details at this time.
A school district is a community of people who are all dedicated to one thing above all – educating and supporting our students to prepare them for the futures they can achieve and deserve.
Our work together for our students will continue uninterrupted, and together, we will succeed.
Students, we are preparing every day for the start of the 2019-2020 school year and a strong year of teaching and learning in safe, healthy and supportive schools. We are focused on your well-being in every way possible. We will keep moving forward to help each of you succeed to your highest potential and to achieve your dreams.
Families, our shared goal across the district is to maintain close focus on giving your students every opportunity available and to work tirelessly to support them.
CMS colleagues and staff, we pledge our continuing support as leaders to our shared efforts. We each have an important part to play in making sure we do our absolute best for our students no matter our job title, role or position.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will move forward together in trust and we will keep our focus on what matters most – each and every CMS student.”