Charlotte charter school offered ‘really low’ budget estimates, NC board says in rejection

The N.C. Charter Schools Review Board on Tuesday rejected an application for a charter school in west Charlotte over budget concerns.

A group of Charlotte educators planned to open Bright Scholars in 2026 as a charter school focused on traditional academic rigor coupled with social and emotional learning. The school's mission would be to "provide a well-rounded, meaningful education to future leaders," according to its charter application.

The K-5 school would largely serve children from low-income families, one of the proposed school's board members and founders Maria Hull told the Charter Schools Review Board .

Hull emphasized her experience living and working in west Charlotte.

"What makes us different is we're all educators; we are not businessmen," Hull told the board. "We know our community, and we have chosen to listen to the needs of our parents and students by getting together to focus on the development of the future leaders of Charlotte, specifically in the 28208 zip code."

School founders projected a total enrollment of 288 students after five years and planned to operate out of a church for the first two years before constructing a 30,000 square-foot school building.

However, the State Charter Schools Review Board ultimately voted 7-3 not to approve the school's application, with budget concerns that included too-low cost estimates and a top-heavy salary structure.

The board encouraged Hull and the school's other founders to come back with an updated application in the new year.

Charlotte charter school rejected The presented budget included cost estimates for the first year, when the school would have 96 students, including $7,200 for Chromebooks, $4,000 for staff development and $5,520 for curriculum and textbooks.

"These numbers just seem really low," said Bruce Friend, chair of the Charter Schools Review Board. "I would suggest you probably go back and look at those numbers."

Friend also was concerned about the number of employees who would be performing multiple roles during the first school year. For example, the school's dean of family support would also serve as the licensed school counselor and school registrar.

"That's a lot of hats," Friend said.

The school's plan included three administration positions: a principal and two deans. Each administrator was projected to get a salary increase of 61% after five years, but teachers were only projected to get a total raise of 8% across that same time frame, with a 1.5% increase each year.

"It's a top-heavy salary structure, very top-heavy," said charter schools review board member Rita Haire. "When I see those ratios, it's concerning."

Board members also expressed concern about the high competition in the area. There are currently 34 active charter schools in Mecklenburg County in addition to 186 traditional campuses in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

However, the review board agreed the school's academic plans were solid.

"My guess is you could survey some of the people who lead charter schools that are on this charter school review board and they would tell you running a charter school is a business," said review board member Bartley Danielsen. "There's a business element to it, and my concern in seeing this board is I think they need more support on the business side."