Communications

  • The communications team is responsible for maintaining effective communications within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. It also serves parents and community members by delivering clear, timely and accurate information about CMS. In addition, we communicate the objectives and accomplishments of CMS so that the public effectively understands district functions and goals.

Contact

  • The communications staff encourages and coordinates news coverage with the media, arranges staff interviews and provides responses to requests for information to promote full public understanding of CMS issues, policies and accomplishments.

    As a department, we:

    • Provide timely and complete responses to requests for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
    • Produce publications with substantive and timely information.
    • Support the individual schools, Board of Education, superintendent, chief operating officer and other executive staff in actively communicating Board actions, new education policies and procedures and CMS programs.
    • Build community support for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

    Our Work​: 

    Provides timely information both internally and externally using:

    • Media releases, alerts and advisories and news releases. 

    • Website: The CMS website provides daily news and information updates on policies, schools, programs and emergency notifications.

    • Social media: CMS posts regularly to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and @CharMeckSchools X (formerly Twitter account).

    • ​CMS Insider: CMS Insider is a weekly employee e-newsletter distributed to all 18,000-plus district employees.

    • CMS Communications emails, texts and sends voicemail to families and staff via ParentSquare. Messages are delivered containing district-wide and/or school-specific information. If you are not receiving messages or alerts, please update your information by contacting your student's school or updating your information in PowerSchool.

    Media Guidelines

    The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Communications Department's goal is to provide clear, timely and accurate information about the district. CMS staff believe it is important to be open and accessible to the media to ensure the public understands district functions and goals effectively.

    The Communications staff is available to coordinate news coverage with local, regional, national and international media, arrange staff interviews, and respond to requests for information. There are media relations specialists and a dedicated media line and an email box, media@cms.k12.nc.us to assist the media with their requests. The media line, 980-343-6243, is staffed during normal CMS office hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    The following guidelines will help our media partners obtain the desired information, footage, and interviews: 

    • Please email the media mailbox with any inquiries, requests for interviews and information: media@cms.k12.nc.us .
    • Media must receive clearance from the Communications Media Relations department prior to arriving on campus during the school day, after hours, and during athletic events. 
    • Media partners should check in at the front office immediately upon arriving on school property and sign in to Lobby Guard. Please have a photo ID (Driver’s license)
    • Media Relations staff will assist in scheduling all media requests with District leaders.
    • Media Relations staff will facilitate all on-campus and district building interactions and interviews.
    • Requests for interviews and footage are expedited more efficiently if inquiries include details about the information you require, the individuals you are wishing to speak with, and any footage you are hoping to capture.
    • Public Right-of-Way Reporting near school campuses or school district buildings: We request courtesy communication of any reporting and/or filming conducted on public right-of-way properties (such as sidewalks, streets, or roadways) ahead of time, regardless of the subject matter being reported, to help us minimize disruptions to students, families, and educators.
    • Public Records Requests: In accordance with GS 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, requests can be made for "Public record" or "public records", documents made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business.  Click HERE to make a new public records request. Responses to public records requests will be made as promptly as possible while protecting the privacy rights of our students and employees, as well as other information that is confidential under federal and state laws.

    We appreciate our media partners’ cooperation in helping us share our stories and promote excellence in public education. Endless Possibilities start with CMS.