Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill is scheduled to receive a salary increase of about $22,000 following the approval of North Carolina’s new state budget, even as she remains on paid administrative leave during an ongoing district investigation.
The raise stems from a contract amendment approved by the CMS Board of Education in December and is now taking effect after the state budget triggered the agreed-upon condition.
Raise
In December, the CMS Board approved a 7 percent salary increase for Hill, raising her annual base salary from $318,270 to $340,700.
The board also extended her employment contract through June 2029.
Under the contract amendment, the raise would become effective once the North Carolina General Assembly approved teacher pay increases. The increase was also set to apply retroactively to Dec. 1, 2025.
| Salary Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| Previous annual salary | $318,270 |
| New annual salary | $340,700 |
| Annual increase | About $22,430 |
| Previous monthly salary | $26,522.50 |
| New monthly salary | $28,397.50 |
Budget
Last week, Governor Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s state budget into law after months of negotiations.
The budget includes salary increases for teachers and other state personnel. Although teachers will not receive retroactive back pay for the period before the budget was approved, the budget’s passage satisfied the condition outlined in Hill’s employment contract.
As a result, her contractual raise is now scheduled to take effect.
Leave
Hill has been on paid administrative leave since June 17.
The CMS Board previously announced that the leave is connected to an investigation involving “matters involving administrative and operational oversight.”
The district has not released additional details about the investigation.
Statement
A CMS spokesperson said that Hill remains an employee of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools while on leave.
According to the district, she is eligible for salary adjustments consistent with the adopted North Carolina state budget and subject to Board of Education approval.
The Charlotte Observer requested clarification regarding the separate board-approved raise and when any retroactive pay would be issued. CMS has not publicly provided additional information.
Investigation
WSOC-TV, the Charlotte Observer’s news partner, reported that the board’s investigation involves contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars that were reportedly awarded to three former colleagues of Hill.
CMS has declined to comment on those reported allegations, citing the ongoing nature of the matter.
At this time, no findings have been publicly released, and the investigation remains active.
Meeting
The CMS Board of Education is scheduled to hold a special meeting on July 22 to discuss amendments to the district’s 2025-26 budget.
According to the published agenda, there is currently no specific item addressing any changes to Hill’s approved salary increase.
The meeting may provide additional updates on district finances, but no action related to the superintendent’s raise has been announced.
Crystal Hill’s salary increase is moving forward because of a contractual provision tied to North Carolina’s newly approved state budget. While the superintendent remains on paid leave during an ongoing investigation, the district has indicated that she continues to qualify for compensation under her employment agreement unless the Board takes further action.
FAQs
How much is Crystal Hill’s salary increase?
Her annual salary will increase by about $22,430.
Why is the raise taking effect now?
The state budget triggered the contract provision.
Is Crystal Hill still on leave?
Yes. She remains on paid administrative leave.
What is the investigation about?
CMS cites administrative and operational oversight matters.
When is the next CMS board meeting?
A special meeting is scheduled for July 22.
