Stephanie Sneed

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

50

B.S. (Environmental Science)

Graduate Studies (City and Regional Planning)

Juris Doctorate

District 4 (Elizabeth)

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you?  Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters.

I am running for re-election because the work of transforming and stabilizing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is not finished, and because proven leadership matters. As Chair of the Board of Education, I’ve led one of the largest school districts in the nation, overseeing a $2.1 billion budget, 19,000 employees, and 141,000 students across 186 schools. I helped stabilize the district during a time of transition, oversaw the selection and onboarding of a new superintendent, and ensured that CMS maintained focus on improving outcomes, restoring trust, and building public confidence.

Under my leadership, CMS adopted a Student Outcomes Focused Governance model, establishing measurable goals that hold the superintendent accountable and keep academic success at the center of every decision. Those goals focused on literacy, math, and post-graduation readiness (employed, enrolled or enlisted) have produced results: CMS achieved the highest overall academic performance in district history, reducing the number of low-performing schools by the largest single-year margin ever.

Other highlights include:

- Securing the largest bond in CMS history, $2.5 billion, to build or modernize 30 schools, ensuring safer, more modern learning environments.

- A 99% teacher fill rate with improved teacher recruitment and retention efforts, through pay increases, professional development, and housing support via the CMS @Home program;

- Increased minimum wage of all employees to at least $20/hr;

- Expanded community partnerships to more than 400 organizations, while calling for greater intentionality, ensuring partnerships are aligned with actual school and community needs.

I am running because the Board of Education is the most important body of government; the one that shapes the next generation of citizens, leaders, and innovators. What we decide today determines Charlotte’s strength tomorrow. Education drives our economy, defines our neighborhoods, and determines whether families can build generational success.

My experience has uniquely prepared me to lead. As a labor and employment attorney, I understand systems, governance, and fairness. As an attorney in child protective services, I fought for the safety and welfare of children in the most tenable circumstances. As a CMS parent, I live the realities our families face. As a community leader, I’ve been deeply engaged in civic life:

- Chair of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, where I led legislative advocacy, candidate education, and public engagement efforts.

- Vice Chair of my voting precinct, ensuring that our community’s voice remains visible and strong.

- a founding of the Westside Education Think Tank, created to bring parents, nonprofits, and community together around public education solutions.

- Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America (where I chaired the Legislative Committee), PTA, Girl Scout leader, and CMS schools volunteer and Bond Oversight committee member.

These experiences shaped my belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education and a pathway to success. My work as Chair has been driven by that belief, ensuring that every student graduates Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed.

My leadership has stabilized CMS, re-centered it around student outcomes, and proven that excellence is achievable through accountability, collaboration, and community. The progress we’ve made is real, but the work is not finished. I am running for re-election because I believe in this district, in our educators, and in the potential of every child.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?

In the first six months, my top priority will be to accelerate the implementation of our student outcomes goals and strengthen alignment between board policy, superintendent strategy, and classroom impact. That means ensuring our Student Outcomes Focused Governance model continues to drive measurable progress in literacy, math, and post-graduation readiness so every student is on track to be Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed.

I will also focus on expanding and strategically aligning community and business partnerships to meet the specific needs of schools. While CMS has more than 400 partners, we must be intentional about where partnerships occur and how they support academic success, attendance, and wellness.

In addition, I will continue advancing teacher recruitment, retention, and housing support by expanding the CMS @Home initiative and securing continued funding for supplemental pay.

In short, my goal is to move from stability to acceleration, deepening trust, strengthening partnerships, focusing on results, and showing our community that CMS is not just improving, it is excelling.

Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

First, as Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, I helped stabilize the district during a time of transition, led the selection and onboarding of the superintendent, and guided the Board in adopting a Student Outcomes Focused Governance model. This work re-centered CMS on measurable academic progress, resulting in record student achievement and the largest decrease in low-performing schools in district history. I also helped lead a successful $2.5 billion school bond campaign, the largest in district history, to modernize facilities and expand access to safe, high-quality learning environments.

Second, I have been deeply engaged in community advocacy that connects policy to people. As a founding member of the Westside Education Think Tank, I worked to strengthen partnerships between educators, families, and community leaders to improve access and equity in historically underrepresented schools. As Chair of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, I led community outreach and legislative advocacy to ensure that public education remained a top civic and policy priority. These experiences reflect my belief that leadership is rooted in listening, inclusion, and empowering communities to shape their future.

Finally, my broader professional experience has shaped my approach to leadership. As Associate General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense, I manage complex labor and employment litigation, compliance, and policy matters. As Legal Counsel for Child Protective Services, I advocated for children and families, ensuring their safety and legal rights were protected. Earlier in my career as an Environmental Planner, I led intergovernmental collaboration among regional agencies, work that strengthened my skills in consensus building, problem-solving, and strategic alignment.

Across all these roles, my leadership is collaborative, intentional, and results-driven. I listen first, act with integrity, and stay grounded in the belief that true progress is measured by outcomes and by the lasting impact of service.

What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received?

Black Political Caucus, Equality NC and Mecklenburg County Democratic Party

Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to know.

Something unexpected about me is that I love to connect with people in ways that go beyond titles and meetings. I’ve been known to do Carpool Karaoke with CMS students, singing, laughing, and talking about their goals and what school means to them. It reminds me that leadership is not about distance; it’s about connection.

What surprises people most is that, despite my legal and policy background, I never lose sight of joy and authenticity. I love to connect over the perfect old fashioned.  Whether in the boardroom or the community, I believe in leading with warmth, laughter, and purpose because people work hardest for leaders who make them feel seen and valued.