Charlitta Hatch Elected to Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board
In a closely watched election, Charlitta Hatch has emerged victorious in the race for the District 1 seat on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education. Hatch, serving as the city of Charlotte’s chief data and analytics officer, managed to unseat incumbent Melissa Easley by securing 44.83% of the vote. Easley garnered 29.14%, while third candidate Bill Fountain, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, obtained 30.27% of the votes.
The election featured a dynamic contest among three candidates: Hatch, Easley, and Fountain, each bringing distinct perspectives. Although the race is officially nonpartisan, the involvement of political endorsements added a layer of complexity. Easley, who has been open about being the first openly LGBTQ member of the board, expressed disappointment over losing the endorsement of the Mecklenburg County Democrats to Hatch. Easley attributed this decision to concerns over her fundraising capabilities and acknowledged controversies, including a recent post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk and her minority voting record on the board.
Hatch’s campaign stood out with robust financial backing, raising over $56,000 compared to Easley’s $2,600. Hatch attributed her fundraising success to strong community ties fostered through her nonprofit work and affiliations. Her campaign was further bolstered by endorsements from influential groups such as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators and support from Raki McGregor, a former advisor to CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill.
Bill Fountain, the Republican-backed candidate, injected $20,000 of personal funds into his campaign. Emphasizing conservative values, Fountain’s platform focused on enhancing student behavior, elevating academic standards, and instilling character and resilience in students. Despite not winning, Fountain’s campaign underscored a desire for a more conservative approach within the school board.
Easley’s tenure on the board was marked by her dissenting votes, including her opposition to a CMS budget proposal, advocating for increased funding from Mecklenburg County. Additionally, questions arose about the connections between McGregor, Hatch, and McGregor’s wife’s consulting firm, SYDKIMYL. Easley had previously voted against increasing a CMS contract with the firm, prompting speculation about political retaliation. McGregor has denied any such intentions, suggesting instead that some board members might not fully support Superintendent Hill.
