Minute with Melissa
Hello everyone!
With graduation season in full swing and lots of vacations happening, there will be no Minute with Melissa for June or July — but please know I’m still here and available. If you’d like me to attend any of your community, school, or stakeholder meetings during this time, I’d be happy to come give a live update and answer questions directly. Just send me an invite!
Celebrating PRIDE 🌈
As we step into June, we proudly celebrate Pride Month and reaffirm our commitment to equity, inclusion, and the dignity of every student, family, and staff member in CMS. Our diversity is our strength, and I stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community — not just in June, but all year long. Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen in our schools.
🏳️🌈 Let’s continue doing the work to ensure our district is welcoming and affirming for ALL.
🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2025!
To all of our incredible CMS graduates and the families, educators, and communities that supported them — congratulations! You’ve reached a major milestone, and we are so proud of your hard work, resilience, and achievements.
Whether you’re heading to college, the military, a career, or another adventure, remember: your story is just beginning. You are the future leaders, creators, and changemakers.
Keep striving. Keep dreaming. And always know that you have a whole community rooting for your success. 🎉
Upcoming Dates
📍 Save the Date: I will be at the Cornelius Town Board meeting June 16th giving a CMS Update.
📍 Save the Date: Next board meeting is THURSDAY JUNE 5th. Please note because of graduations and other requirements this is off of our normal 2nd and 4th Tuesday. There is public comment for this meeting meeting.
You can sign up here
Speakers must register before 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting. To be eligible to speak, speakers must register using one of the following methods:
By email no later than 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting.
By completing the form here by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting
By telephone at 980-344-7508, no later than 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting
Academic Updates from the Boardroom
Reading Achievement Progress – Grades 3–5
We’re making measurable progress toward our academic goals:
- Goal: Increase College and Career Ready (CCR) reading scores from 33% to 37% by June 2025.
- Current Status:
- 33% of students were CCR at the end of the 2023–24 school year.
- Benchmark projections for 2024–25 rose to 35%, with final estimates expected to reach 36% — just 1% shy of the goal.
- To Close the Gap: CMS needs 356 more students (out of 11,796) to reach the target.
Proposed Elementary School Boundaries
A new school is coming to Old Park Road, and the Superintendent is recommending Option 1, which would redraw boundaries to include students from Marie G. Davis and Dilworth. This plan is favored for its minimal disruption and ability to accommodate growth.
- Estimated Enrollment: 829 students (85% capacity)
- Next Steps:
- Public Hearing: June 5, 2025
- Board Vote: June 24, 2025
➡️ Click here for details on the proposed options.
Policy Updates & Action Items
At the last meeting, the Board approved several policy changes to streamline operations and expand student pathways:
✅ Graduation Requirements (A-GRR) – A third graduation option was added: students entering 9th grade in 2021 or later can now choose a Preapproved Early Graduation of Future Ready Core Plus course.
✅ Purchasing/Contracting (F-PRCH) – The superintendent can now advertise bids via newspaper, digital platforms, or both.
✅ Distribution of Non-school Materials (O-DISD) – Materials must now come from a community partner aligned with CMS values and legal standards.
✅ Strategic Partnerships (S-STGY) – This new policy ensures partnerships with CMS align with district values and legal compliance across all sectors, from nonprofits to government agencies.
First Readings
📝 The Board also previewed the following policy changes, which are in the early review phase:
- Students Experiencing Homelessness (S-HOM) – Strengthens access and supports under federal and state law.
- Students in Foster Care (S-FOST) – Ensures stability and support for foster youth through coordination with DSS/YFS.
- Board Operations Manual (B-IND/E) – Updates procedures around board agendas and Superintendent evaluation alignment.
