CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — In a video posted online, Dr. Crystal Hill, Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), addressed recent concerns following threats of mass violence made against several Charlotte-area schools this month.
The threats, which reportedly caused concern among parents and the community, were not communicated in a timely manner to families, a delay Dr. Hill deeply apologized for.
“As both a mother and an educator, I fully understand our children are our hearts,” Dr. Hill said in the video, posted on social media Monday. “I want to ensure that every parent feels confident about sending their children to our schools each day.”
Dr. Hill said the CMS team met Monday morning for an after-action review to pinpoint the communication lapse and make the necessary improvements.
The superintendent assured the Charlotte community that CMS is actively working to address the confusion, frustration, and delay caused by the incident. Clear, consistent communication, she emphasized, is essential to restoring and maintaining trust.
“I also recognize that relationships can often be damaged by poor communication,” Dr. Hill said in the video. “I am fully committed to rebuilding that trust within our community.”
Last week, Drew “David” Andres Owens was charged with multiple counts of threatening mass violence on educational property and booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail on Feb. 19.
Owens is accused of communicating specific threats of mass violence at multiple Charlotte-area schools, including West Charlotte High School, Ardrey Kell High School, Community House Middle School, and Hawk Ridge Elementary School.
Ownes’ bond was set at $10,000. According to jail and court documents, he remains at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center at this time.
This case is due back in court in early March 2025.
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