Crystal L. Hill, Ed.D., is superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), the 16th largest public school system in the United States and the 2nd largest in North Carolina. She is responsible for 141,000 students enrolled in the district’s 186 schools under the leadership and support of nearly 20,000 employees.
Prior to her appointment as superintendent, she served Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as interim superintendent, where she facilitated the district’s first fully funded county budget request in recent history.
In July 2023, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education selected Dr. Hill as the district’s superintendent.Since her appointment, she has led the district in improving academic outcomes for students while implementing a comprehensive organizational restructuring designed to ensure success and endless possibilities for all students.
Dr. Hill also led the district’s successful, historic $2.5 billion bond campaign, which is the largest in North Carolina history. Mecklenburg County Commissioners also confirmed their confidence in Hill’s leadership and vision with a fully funded budget request for the second consecutive year.
Dr. Hill began her 27-year career as a first grade teacher in Guilford County Schools. She has served in multiple instructional and executive roles in school districts throughout North Carolina.
She currently serves on the Boards of Directors for Leading on Opportunity Council, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Education, READ Charlotte, and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators. She also co-chaired the North Carolina State Board of Education Literacy Task Force.
Dr. Hill has earned numerous awards and recognition, including the Aspire Award from The Innovation Project, the Charlotte Hornets Social Justice Power Forward Award, and being named to Black Business Ink’s Power 100 list.
Dr. Hill earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in instructional technology, both from North Carolina A&T State University. She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.
FAQs
What is the responsibility of a superintendent? ›
Superintendents identify needs and policies, develop regulations, provide leadership, and manage the day-to-day operation of the district. Each school district's needs and conditions are unique.
Who is higher than a superintendent? ›The boss of the superintendent is the school board of the school district.
Is the superintendent more powerful than the principal? ›Key Differences Between the Positions
Scope – While principals oversee operations at individual schools, superintendents are responsible for entire districts (multiple schools and facilities). Being higher in the chain of command, superintendents have purview over significantly more students and staff.
Dr. Michael F. Rice was appointed Michigan's 44th superintendent of public instruction by Michigan's State Board of Education in May 2019. He officially began his work as state superintendent on August 1, 2019.
What are the top 5 qualities for superintendent? ›In a recent interview, Lyman emphasized five essential qualities for superintendents: communication, team building, operational flexibility, instructional knowledge, and problem-solving. Lyman underscores leadership as paramount, requiring a comprehensive understanding of instructional and operational aspects.
What is the goal of a superintendent? ›The superintendent fosters the safety and success of all teachers, staff, and students by supporting, managing, and evaluating the division's organization, operation, and use of resources. The superintendent fosters the success of all students through effective communication with stakeholders.
Is a superintendent like a CEO? ›Comparison to superintendents
A CEO is different from a superintendent in that the CEO of schools has total control over every decision made by a school district; the CEO decides what rights, if any, are delegated to the board of education. A CEO of Schools often needs no background in education.
a person who is in charge of work done in a particular department, office, etc., or who is responsible for keeping a building or place in good condition: In the U.S., a school superintendent is in charge of the schools in a particular area.
Is superintendent the same as supervisor? ›The main distinction between a Superintendent and a Supervisor is the scope and level of their job duties A Superintendent has a broader and higher-level job duty than a Supervisor, as they oversee the entire project or organisation, while a Supervisor oversees a specific department or team.
How important is a superintendent? ›Superintendents are key to school districts' functions and operations. They're the highest-ranking leaders in a specific school district, and their duties are critical for student, staff, and school success.
What is the hierarchy of a superintendent? ›
In certain states, the SP in selection grade is known as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), who heads a larger police district. The SP ranks above the Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP) and below the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
Is being a superintendent stressful? ›Superintendents reported high stress levels, regardless of their gender, race, years of experience, and district size, according to the report, but superintendents of color “almost universally said their work was 'often' or 'always' stressful.”
How do I file a formal complaint against a school in Michigan? ›A formal state complaint must be written, signed, and sent to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and your school district. You can file a complaint up to one year after the problem occurs. The complaint must contain information about the problem you are having and the laws you think have been broken.
Who is the head of Michigan DHS? ›Elizabeth Hertel is the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Who is the head of the Michigan DNR? ›Governor Whitmer Announces Scott Bowen as Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed M. Scott Bowen as Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
What are the duties of a works superintendent? ›TYPICAL DUTIES
Supervises construction of buildings, roads and other facilities. Prepares materials, lists and requisitions for all construction projects. Oversees the general maintenance work on various types of construction equipment, tractors, trucks, etc.
Project managers are often responsible for selecting and hiring the superintendent, and, if there was a hierarchy of roles, are often above the superintendent. However, effective relationships between PMs and superintendents are usually more like peers, with respect for each other's expertise and distinct roles.
What are the three main responsibilities of a superintendent before construction can begin? ›The superintendent's main responsibilities before beginning construction are to set up the field office, organize the job site, and establish the working hours, which are crucial for project management, logistical planning, and labor force scheduling.
What is the importance of superintendent? ›They are leaders, visionaries, advocates, and administrators, all aiming to foster the best possible educational experience for all students. Superintendents play a crucial role in shaping the future of our education system and are central figures in building thriving communities through quality education.
