Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said sex assault data didn’t exist. Records show that’s not true.

WBTV Investigates: Data reveals steep drop in recorded rapes, sexual assaults

After a years-long effort to get the data, records detail where sexual violence was reported across the school district.

By Nick Ochsner

Published : May. 7, 2024 at 6:32 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Records obtained by WBTV show leaders at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recorded significantly fewer instances of reported rapes and sexual assaults within a five-year span. The data, obtained for the first time by WBTV after a years-long effort to get the records, also details where sexual violence was reported across the school district.

A WBTV reporter first requested this information in June 2021, seeking “all data tracking sexual assaults and/or rapes for all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools since January 1, 2011.” In response, the district produced one page of data and directed the reporter to aggregate data published by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

CMS denied maintaining detailed data

But the district said it did not maintain detailed data showing a breakdown of reports by school or a year-by-year list of reports. The information is among the sets of records that are the subject of a lawsuit brought by WBTV against the school district, claiming the district violated the N.C. Public Records Act by failing to produce all responsive documents.

Previous: CMS failed to track reported rapes, assaults on campus

Discrepancy in data production

In the lawsuit, three CMS employees submitted affidavits under oath claiming all responsive records were produced. Stephanie McKinney, who worked as the CMS Title IX coordinator, stated that she “provided all data responsive to this request that was contained in PowerSchool and submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction” to the district’s public records officer, Stephen Sharpless.

In his affidavit, Sharpless said that he received documents from McKinney. “After reviewing the documents, I published 1 document containing 1 page… in full satisfaction” of the request. CMS General Counsel Andre Mayes also submitted an affidavit under oath.

In her filing, Mayes said she was ultimately responsible for the production of public records. Her affidavit included a chart detailing the district’s response to each records request from WBTV.

Previous: Charlotte school leaders won’t answer question on student safety

Data reveals declining record-keeping

The records are labeled “Student-on-Student Sexual Harassment Disciplinary Data” and cover the 2010-2011 through 2014-2015 school years. The sheer volume of records paints a picture of a steep drop in record keeping in that time period: 49 pages of records for the 2010-2011 school year; 52 pages for 2011-2012; 46 pages in 2012-2013; 11 pages in 2013-2014; and 9 pages for the 2014-2015 school year.

WBTV has interviewed nearly a dozen students who reported sexual violence at CMS schools between 2015 and 2023.

Previous: More women detail reported rape, assault at Myers Park as school leaders remain silent

CMS lawyer refuses to answer questions

Of the three employees who submitted affidavits regarding the production of sexual violence data requested by WBTV, only one remains in their position. Andre Mayes, who submitted the affidavit and detailed chart saying no records were withheld, still works at the CMS General Counsel. She reports directly to the Board of Education.

A WBTV reporter sent Mayes two emails requesting an explanation for why she said under oath the district did not withhold any documents responsive to the station’s request in June 2021. Mayes ignored both.

Data: Click here to see the detailed sex assault data

Mayes continued in her refusal to answer questions when a reporter approached her in the chambers of the Government Center before a school board meeting. “I’m not talking to you,” Mayes first told a reporter who asked about the affidavit she submitted.

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Later, as the reporter asked Mayes whether she has an obligation to be truthful as an officer of the court, the attorney broke her silence. “You need to be careful,” Mayes said without elaborating on what she meant by the comment.

A spokesperson for CMS declined to comment for this story.

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

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