Who is Melissa Balknight? 3 things to know about CMS leader during Hill’s leave
Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight will take on added responsibilities while Superintendent Crystal Hill is on leave with pay, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced Wednesday in a news release.
The board asked Balknight to “ensure the district has steady leadership,” pending an investigation into Hill’s tenure. While Balknight lacks a robust online presence, she’s had a long career in education, beginning as a middle school teacher and later moving into administrative roles.
Here’s what to know about Balknight’s background ahead of her leadership.
Three years with CMS
Balknight, 53, began her role with CMS on August 3, 2023, less than three months after the district brought Hill into the official superintendent position, dropping her interim title.
During a May 2023 meeting, the board approved Balknight for a four-year contract, with a salary of $225,226 per year, set to expire June 30, 2027. An amendment extended her tenure until June 30, 2028.
She’s helped oversee CMS’ overhaul of its magnet program, respond to concerns about school safety and lead the district to record-high Advanced Placement test scores.
North Carolina roots
Balknight earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She also holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Before her time with CMS, she served in administrative roles for Gaston County Schools.
She’s no stranger to juggling responsibilities outside the ones her title includes. In 2016, she took on tasks once delegated to Bill Cook Jr., who served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Gaston County Schools, following his retirement, according to the Gaston Gazette.
Education from all angles
Across her career, Balknight has helped oversee initiatives that promote trade skills for students.
She serves on the Board of Directors for The ROC, a Charlotte nonprofit that mentors high school students in technical education and offers career guidance into the construction industry, as well as for Charlotte Works, an organization that equips people with skills to be workforce ready. In her previous role as associate superintendent for academic services of Gaston County Schools, she helped coordinate dual enrollment opportunities with Gaston College to prepare students to enter the workforce upon graduation.
She also has spoken on the importance of student health and well-being.
She met with Blue Cross Blue Shield in August 2022 about Gaston County Schools’ strategy to provide mental health services and therapy in every school. She also served as a panelist at the N.C. National Association of Health Services Executives’ 2024 Health Equity Symposium.
This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Who is Melissa Balknight? 3 things to know about CMS leader during Hill’s leave."