CMS Principal Works in Charlotte But Lives 400 Miles Away?

By Dedrick Russell - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC  (WBTV) - Some Winget Park Elementary school parents have questions about their kids' principal.   They say Carol Barbour is hard to find. This is her first year at the school. Parents claim she commutes to work from 400 miles away.

Parents claim Winget Park elementary school principal Carol Barbour is missing in action. One parent says she has gone to several activities at the school. She says she has never seen the principal. In fact moms and dads claim on Monday's and Friday's the principal is absent.

Parents believe she is in the DC area where she last worked.  We spoke with one parent by phone Thursday. She doesn't want to give her name but she wants to voice her complaint against Barbour.

"She's never available," the CMS parent said.  "She's not in the hallways to greet students and parents. She's never in the car pool line."

In fact parents say the principal's car still has out of state plates. They believe she spends a lot of her time living outside of Charlotte. They believe that hurts the school.

"Anybody can live and work where they want," the CMS parent said.  "But you have to be at your job. The school is open 8:45 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday and she needs to be there."

Area Superintendent Elva Cooper addressed the parents concerns. We asked where does the principal live?

"Her living arrangements are not public knowledge, so I will not discuss." Area Superintendent Elva Cooper said.

WBTV then asked when the district chooses a principal, does it matter the principal live in the area of the school.

"That never comes up." Cooper said.

While parents want change, CMS says Barbour is doing a good job.

One parent is so upset at the leadership of the school, she plans to remove her child from Winget and place the child in a private school next year.

We tried contacting the principal, but she has not returned our calls.