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INSIDE ▼ Mecklenburg lawmakers leave Democratic Party
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PAGE 2B Friday, May 1, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 17
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Rally prompts unfilled absences at CMS by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education called an emergency meeting April 24 to make May 1 a teacher workday due to not having enough substitutes to cover for staff taking the day off for a political rally in Raleigh. Chief Human Resources Officer Angie Wood told the school board that the number of unfilled absences for May 1 was
1,934 and growing. This eclipses the previous high mark for unfilled absences for the 2025-26 year at 560. “I’m bringing this motion forward because on May 1 thousands of educators from across Monterrey Duvall North Carolina, including many of our own CMS teachers, will be marching in Raleigh as part
of North Carolina Association of Educators Kids Over Corporations Rally,” at-large member Liz Monterrey Duvall said. “As the stakes are real, North Carolina still ranks 43rd in the nation for teacher pay. The state still has no budget, which means no raises, no new funding and by 2030, the corporate income tax phases out entirely, threatening the very revenue that funds our schools.” Beth Thompson, chief strategy and innovation officer for
CMS, said the district was still compliant with state requirements for instructional hours and board policy. The change doesn’t affect CMS’s early and middle college, UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College academic calendars. “I understand that the concerns by parents, administrators and teachers in making this decision, particularly from a parent aspect,” board chair Stephanie Sneed said. “Trust that we didn’t make this decision lightly, which
is somewhat of the reason why, once we saw the trends, we tried to make sure the decision was made in enough advance notice Sneed to ensure that arrangements can be made for appropriate child care. "However, this is a greater issue that we have been dealing with for quite some time in terms of funding for our schools."
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Gem Awards Mayor of Myers Park among winners, 2A
2 cents CATS looking for input on fare changes, 3A
The LYNX Silver Line is a light rail project similar to the LYNX Blue Line that runs through South End to the University City area. Photo courtesy of CATS
Tax reform Leaders go off on Raleigh & revals, 3B
Refreshing Get Cinco de Mayo drink recipes, 3B
Cost-cutting won't extend train by much by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Transit System will not be able to extend the LYNX Silver Line to Matthews through cost-cutting alone, according to senior project manager Andrew Mock. His team has been researching valueengineering options since the fall to help extend the line east of Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium. They’ve only identified about $260 million to $330 million worth of cost savings from a $3.3 billion budget to build the line from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to The BOPlex. “We do not see any way through just cost-
cutting strategies alone where we can make it to Matthews, just through value engineering or project changes,” Mock said during an April 23 virtual public meeting. “There may be other ways that could be looked at, and maybe there’s ways through additional funding, but that’s not what we currently see at the moment as far as cost savings.” How we got here For many years, people have known about the Silver Line through its “locally preferred alternative.” On paper, the project spans 29 miles with 30 stops from Belmont to Indian Trail. Mock describes it as a big picture vision. “That’s the project that, if we didn’t have financial constraints, we would be pursuing,” Mock said.
Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-penny sales tax referendum last year to fund long-range transportation projects. State legislators put stipulations on how the county spends its sales tax revenue, capping the percentage that can be spent on light rail. Local leaders also committed to prioritize the LYNX Red Line project in the Lake Norman area. These actions didn’t leave enough money projected to complete the Silver Line’s locally preferred alternative. “Financial issues are a real issue for us to resolve,” Mock said. CATS created a “minimum operable segment” based on what it can afford with see SILVER LINE, Page 3A
Transportation logistics firm plans to double Charlotte workforce CHARLOTTE – Averitt plans to build a new regional campus near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The expansion will allow the Tennessee-based transportation and supply chain management company to more than double its Charlotte workforce, adding an additional 211 associates over the next four years, with an average annual wage of $81,769. The development, on just over 100 acres in a commercial area on Shopton Road, will serve as
home to Averitt’s entire regional operation, a single, integrated campus that brings together all five of the company’s service units: less-than-truckload, truckload, dedicated, distribution and fulfillment and integrated services. “This Charlotte expansion represents one of the most exciting and distinctive facility investments in Averitt’s 55-year history; it will be unlike any other Averitt location in the country,” said Barry Blakely, president
and chief operating officer at Averitt. “We’ve been searching for several years to find the perfect location to establish this type of presence in the Carolinas, and what better place than in Charlotte, a growing logistics hub with an outstanding talent base, strategic location and expanding infrastructure.” Construction on the campus is expected to begin immediately and be completed in 2028. The development could top more than $200 million when fully built.
“We appreciate Averitt’s large investment in Charlotte,” said Mayor Vi Lyles. “It’s encouraging when companies recognize that advantage and choose to grow with us. Charlotte’s momentum across industries reflects intentional planning and the strength of our business community.” New positions will include local and over-the-road drivers, dock associates, diesel mechanics, sales, administrative support and other logistics
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professionals. According to the company, a significant number of the new positions will not require a college or advanced degree and will be supported by on-the-job training, leadership development tracks and clear advancement opportunities. The new campus will replace the 40,000-square-foot service center Averitt currently operates at 3708 Westinghouse Blvd. with 182 full-time associates. Averitt opened its first Charlotte office in 1987.