Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg School March/April 2019 | Page 5

Surprise, you’re getting a new playground!
Barringer Academic
Center’s kindergarten
and first-grade students
filled the cafeteria for
a big surprise Feb. 8.
Principal Stephanie
Range talked about what
made Barringer special
and then announced that
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools and Hands
on Charlotte selected
their school for a new
playground build.
Students enthusiastically
clapped, cheered and
danced. The rest of the
school was told over the
public announcement
system and erupted in
cheers.
On April 5, more
than 100 volunteers
from the business
community will build
the student-designed playground – at no cost to CMS. A safe, fun school
playground can cost more than $80,000. The United Way is bringing together
companies across the community to help build this playground, providing
both funds and volunteers to make the students’ dreams a reality.
“It’s an honor to be chosen,” said Range. “Our students work hard and
they deserve this.”
The playground build in Charlotte began 17 years ago after several local
executives met with then President George W. Bush, who had asked cities
across the country to participate in an annual playground build. Charlotte
is the only city in the country that has kept the project going after the first
year.
CMS announces two appointments
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education approved two new
appointments at its Jan. 8 meeting.
Kondra Rattley was named associate superintendent of high school
equity. She has been the Southeast Learning Community superintendent
from 2018 to now. Rattley was the executive director of the East Learning
Community from 2013 to 2018, principal at Garinger High from 2011 to 2013
and principal for International Studies at Garinger High from 2008 to 2011.
She was also assistant principal at Mallard Creek High from 2006 to 2008 and
at Independence High from 2005 to 2006, and counselor at Independence
High from 2003 to 2005 and at Wilson Middle from 2001 to 2003. In the
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools she was a counselor at Petree
Elementary from 1999 to 2001 and a teacher at Hanes Middle from 1997 to
1999. Rattley began her career in education as a teacher at Olympic High
from 1996 to 1997. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and secondary
education and master’s degree in school counseling from Appalachian State
University and a master’s degree in school administration from Gardner-Webb
University.
Leisa Christian was named principal at Northeast Middle. She has been
assistant principal at Vance High from 2015 to now. Christian also was
assistant principal at Hopewell High from 2014 to 2015, dean of students at
Bradley Middle from 2013 to 2014 and principal intern at North Mecklenburg
High in 2013. She was an instructional coach from 2012 to 2013, athletic
director from 2009 to 2012 and teacher from 1998 to 2012 at Bradley
Middle. Christian has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West
Virginia University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from
Winthrop University.
The district is now searching for a new Southeast Learning Community
superintendent.
Parent Teacher Magazine •March/April 2019 • 3