Crystal Hill has been named the new interim superintendent by Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education, effective Jan. 1.
On Tuesday, in a virtual meeting, the board unanimously voted for Hill to replace previous interim, Hugh Hattabaugh, who announced his departure last month. Hattabaugh took over in April after the board removed the district’s previous superintendent, Earnest Winston.
“She is extremely well-positioned to carry this work forward,” Elyse Dashew, board chair, told reporters. “She’s been working side by side with Dr. Hattabaugh to take the board’s goal and guardrails and really operationalize them throughout the district.”
Hill will serve in this role until June 30, 2023. A permanent hire is expected to be made by that date, becoming the district’s seventh superintendent in 12 years.
Free Newsletter
Stay informed with news and events that impact Charlotte’s Black communities.
Some agenda items for Hill and the new board include reviewing the district’s budget and redrawing school district lines.
Prior to joining CMS at chief of staff in May, she served as chief academic officer for Cabarrus County Schools.
Hill has a 25-year career in education that began as a teacher in Guilford County Schools. She was also a principal and served as executive director of elementary education and federal programs in Mooresville Graded School District; curriculum coordinator in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; and personnel director in Cabarrus.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done,” Hill said. “ I am focused on the day-to-day operations to make sure we are doing what’s best for our over 141,000 students, 20,000 employees, our family and our community.”
The board also voted to approve a charter empowering a superintendent search committee.
The board will continue its community engagement campaign to get public input on the qualities desired in the next superintendent.