CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG
SCHOOL BOARD FIRES SUPT.,
AS BOARD CHAIR RESIGNS
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Despite significant academic gains for the past two school years, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board fired Supt. Dr. Crystal Hill on Sept. 22nd after months of turmoil.
By a 5-4 vote, Dr. Hill was terminated “for convenience” after a $380,000 investigation.
“Tonight, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted 5-4 to terminate Dr. Crystal Hill’s employment as Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for convenience, effective immediately,” The School Board’s statement maintained. “The Board has determined that a leadership transition is in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Under the terms of her employment contract, Dr. Hill is entitled to receive one year’s severance. …
The CMS Board also noted the resignation of Board Chair Stephanie Sneed, which happened right before the Board voted to remove Dr. Hill. Sneed remains on the Board as a member.
We recognize that the events of recent months have created uncertainty for our employees, students, and families. Our priority now is to provide stability for the district, support our employees, and ensure that our schools remain focused on the education and well-being of every student.
The Board appreciates the service and leadership of Chair Sneed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and of Dr. Hill to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and recognizes the progress achieved during their respective tenures.”
Sneed was among the five board members who voted to remove Dr. Hill from her position. Hill was present at the beginning of the School Board meeting, but apparently left before the discussion about her tenure or future took place.Several board members expressed the desire to move forward now for the benefit of school system.
Deputy Supt. Dr. Melissa Balknight was appointed as Acting Supt.
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ALLEGED CRIMINAL
TARGETED ST. AUG.
WITH $70 MIL DEAL
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Out of all of the problems St. Augustine’s University (SAU) has had over the past few years, the very last thing the small, private historically Black institution needed was to be flim-flammed by an alleged crook while it was trying retain its accreditation and return to financial solvency.
But according to reports from several news outlets last week, SAU is now part of a federal fraud investigation involving another small, private historically Black institution.
Allen University in South Carolina was reportedly the target of a fraudulent $6 million money-laundering scheme by the same Florida-based sports development company, 50 Plus 1, that once offered SAU a $70 million deal to lease much of its 105-acre property for mixed-use development. That deal fell apart upon review by the State Attorney General’s Office, which had “serious concerns” with the terms.
In the alleged Allen University $6 million scheme, 50 Plus 1’s owner, Lamonica Valrie, promised to build that school a football stadium, which never happened, according to the US Attorney’s Office in South Carolina. “Instead, Valrie spent the funds on personal luxury purchases, including exotic supercars, jewelry, luxury goods, a Yacht charter, and a high-end rental home in South Florida,” stated a press release from federal authorities.
In the scheme, according to court documents, Valrie first promised that Allen University wouldn’t have to spend any money toward the construction of a football Stadium, but later required $3 million to have the project finished in time for the 2024 season, along with $70,000 -a-month for Valrie. In addition to Allen University, prosecutors allege that Valrie also defrauded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church out of $154,000. He was arrested at his Florida home last week by FBI agents.
The previous SAU trustee board and administration thought Valrie’s $70 million land-lease deal could be a great moneymaker for the school until state authorities told them otherwise. Now the school is in bankruptcy court, has lost its accreditation, and has ceased offering classes on campus.
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