Who we are

The group came together early in 2006, at a time when the report of the Citizens' Task Force was drawing a great deal of attention to issues of CMS management and governance. We felt that issues more directly related to classroom education, such as teacher quality, were not receiving the attention they needed. We wanted to spark a broader discussion of these issues, and to promote effective action at all levels of the community.

The group's formation was sparked by a diverse mix of people from different schools, neighborhoods and organizations. Participants have included Patsy Burkins, Pamela Grundy, John Minter, Danielle Obiorah, Cheryl Plonk, Carol Sawyer, Terry Taylor-Allen, Tina Wright and Louise Woods. After several weeks of discussion we crafted a statement of principles and goals, which we call a "Community Commitment to Schools."

While there are many groups doing excellent work in some of these areas, including the CMS Equity Committee, we believe that an independent, grassroots group can play an important role in disseminating information and sparking action.

Charlotte Observer, May 23, 2006:
Countywide group to focus on academics
Supporters say they want improvements in classroom education

ANN DOSS HELMS ahelms@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools parents and supporters are launching a new organization devoted to improving classroom education.

Another CMS improvement group? In addition to the committee studying school construction, the task force lobbying for changes in management, the North Mecklenburg parents, the middle-ring parents and a slew of CMS advisory boards?
That's the point, says organizer Pamela Grundy, a parent from Charlotte's Plaza-Midwood neighborhood who's working to strengthen the eastside Shamrock Gardens Elementary.

The new coalition, known as Mecklenburg ACTS (short for Mecklenburg Area Coming Together for Schools), will be independent, countywide and focused on academics.
"A tremendous amount of attention has gone to all these things that aren't about teaching kids," Grundy said, referring to school construction, politics and debate about restructuring the district's central administration.

Organizers include former school board member Louise Woods and parent leaders from East Mecklenburg and Garinger high schools; Randolph, Piedmont and Cochrane middle schools; and Barringer and Shamrock Gardens elementaries.

Anyone who wants to get the group's electronic newsletter and read its principles and goals can e-mail mecklenburgacts@earthlink.net.