Newsletter 10/5: At CMS, 'the guardrails were disappearing'

Good morning! Today is Monday, October 5, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.

Today's Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by Robinson Bradshaw, an esteemed Carolinas-based corporate law firm committed to providing clients with comprehensive legal services of the highest quality.

Hi readers, Lindsey here! A reminder that The Charlotte Ledger and Dyer & Co. kick off our free “Facing Your Financial Fears” series Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at The Mint Museum in uptown. I’ll ask three experts the scary money questions Gen Z-ers may be avoiding — from building credit and paying student loans to saving for retirement. Plus, there’s free beer, wine and appetizers! RSVP here.

LEDGER IN-DEPTH

by Michelle Crouch

In the year before state officials announced investigations into financial irregularities and contracting practices at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, many of the people and offices designed to catch questionable conduct in the district were eliminated or reassigned.

Interviews with current and former board members and board documents show that over the past year, the school board:

Paired with the board’s decision to fire Superintendent Crystal Hill on Sept. 22, those changes removed or reassigned every person who directly reported to the board. Five former school board members told The Ledger that each move took them by surprise. 

“I watched these things happening, and I would say, ‘I can’t believe the press isn’t freaking out about this,’” said Elyse Dashew, who served from 2015 to 2023, including four years as chair. “Looking back now, it seems kind of ominous.”

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Recent headlines:

Today’s supporting sponsor is Landon A. Dunn, attorney-at-law in Matthews:

Course changes to this year’s Novant Health Charlotte Marathon will give runners a break from some notorious climbs — but don’t expect a flat race. 

Here’s specifically what’s changing:

Miller Yoho, director of communications and marketing for the Charlotte Sports Foundation, which acquired the race earlier this year, said the changes are part of an ongoing effort to improve the runner experience while accommodating the race’s growth. Event organizers are expecting record participation this year, with more than 13,000 runners across the full marathon, half marathon and 5K races. 

Both races will continue to share the same course for nearly 13 miles before splitting off. Click here to view the maps. 

But don’t get too comfortable — Charlotte’s rolling terrain won’t let you.

“There’s no such thing as an easy 26.2 miles,” Yoho said. He doesn’t expect the changes to elicit a wave of PRs. 

Charlotte’s courses take runners through some of the city’s most recognizable neighborhoods, from Eastover and Myers Park to South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood. Plus, runners will face one final challenge: the uphill trek into uptown toward the finish line. (Fun fact: that’s one of the reasons why downtown Charlotte is called uptown — because it sits on a hill!)

Cheer stations are also a new addition to the Charlotte Marathon this year. It’s a grant program for local businesses, running clubs and community groups to apply for funding to create memorable experiences to encourage runners along the route.  

One piece of advice from Yoho to all runners in training mode: Practice running hills toward the end of your long runs. Charlotte hills have a way of catching up to you. —Lindsey Banks

The midterm elections are quickly approaching, and with less than six weeks until Election Day, candidates across the ballot are eagerly pitching themselves to voters at an array of forums and other political events. 

Want to be a more informed voter this election cycle? Here are upcoming events in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Gaston counties where you will have the opportunity to hear directly from some of your future elected officials at both local and state levels. Some events may also offer the chance to have a one-on-one conversation with candidates about the issues that matter most to you. —Rachel Black

Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Thursday, Oct. 8: The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry is hosting two non-partisan candidate forums.

Registration is free on Eventbrite here. 

On both days, doors open at 5:30 p.m. The forums are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

Address: 3301 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216 

➡ Want more local election coverage and information? Check out The Election Hub, a free, non-partisan resource that empowers voters with unbiased information about statewide and local races in North Carolina. The Charlotte Ledger and The Election Hub will co-publish news stories over the next several weeks on key local races and issues facing voters — and all will be free to read.

Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 THROUGH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10: “Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers: Lang’s Poor Hymnal,” 7:30-8:30 p.m., at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Rd. Explore a collection of music written not just to be sung, but to be lived. The Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers present Pulitzer Prize-winning David Lang’s poor hymnal, in a quietly urgent, deeply human performance that asks to be considered and experienced together. $30/ticket.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11: “Biketoberfest 2026,” 12-4:30 p.m., at Triple C Brewing Company, 2900 Griffith St. Biketoberfest turns Charlotte into your playground! Bike, walk or scoot to local spots, complete Goosechase challenges and celebrate at the Triple C Brewing after-party. Now in its 12th year, this Sustain Charlotte fundraiser is Oct. 11. $50. 

OCTOBER 24: “Bourbon for Booty,” 6:30-10 p.m., at Swinerton, 901 Berryhill Rd. Sip. Savor. Support. Raise a glass to help support our local cancer community. Join 24 Foundation for an exceptional evening of curated bourbons, whiskeys, wines and chef-prepared small bites. This unforgettable night of fine sips and flavorful bites directly benefits local cancer navigation and survivorship programs. Guests must be 21 or older. $150/ticket.

NOVEMBER 14: “‘Sunday in the Park with George,’” 7:30-9:30 p.m., at The Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens University, 2319 Wellesley Ave. Step into a painting and the lives behind it in “Sunday in the Park with George,” Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical. This production is presented to the community by Queens University of Charlotte and features student performers, set designers and creative teams. Support the arts at Queens! $12-$17/ticket.

➡️ List your event on the Ledger events board.