Westerly Hills Academy, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, is actively engaged in modernizing its instructional and operational environments. The academy recently established an outdoor classroom to enhance hands-on learning experiences for students. Simultaneously, the school integrates district-wide technology upgrades, including a comprehensive student device refresh program and the adoption of a new student information system, Infinite Campus.
These initiatives create operational pressure across campus systems and infrastructure. The rollout of new devices and the student information system necessitates consistent support for faculty, students, and parents. Systems for managing technology assets, providing IT support, and ensuring data accuracy become critical for seamless school operations. Vendors supporting classroom technology, data management, and operational systems can assist the academy in navigating these changes.
Westerly Hills Academy Snapshot
Location: Charlotte, NC
School District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Grades Served: PK, K-5
Technology Environment: Chromebooks and iPads for students, implementing new Student Information System (Infinite Campus), integrating AI literacy, and utilizing ParentSquare for communication.
Key Initiative: Student device lifecycle management and refresh plan.
Website: http://westerlyhillsacademy.wearecms.com
Recent Funding and Procurement Activity
| Funding Activity | Amount | Operational Area | Current School-Level Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) 2026-2027 Proposed Budget Approval | $2.1 billion (total district budget) | District Operations | Supports overall district strategic plan impacting all schools, including Westerly Hills Academy, through resource allocation for staff and programs. |
| CMS Student Laptop Refresh Plan (Second Year) | $2 million (district-level allocation) | Student Technology Devices | Directly funds the replacement and upgrade of student computing devices, impacting all students at Westerly Hills Academy. |
| CMS Campus Security and Facilities Upgrades | Nearly $33 million (district-level allocation) | Facilities Modernization, Safety Systems | Contributes to district-wide improvements in roofing, HVAC, and security systems, directly enhancing physical infrastructure at Westerly Hills Academy. |
| CMS Social-Emotional Learning Programs Reallocation | $1.6 million (district-level reallocation) | Student Support Services | Funds school-centered social-emotional learning initiatives, directly impacting student well-being programs at Westerly Hills Academy. |
Leadership and Key Buying Personas
| Name | Role | Department | Public Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiesha Pride | Principal | Administration | kiesha.pride@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Kim Brown | Assistant Principal | Administration | kimberlyr.brown@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Catina Scott | Dean of Students | Student Support | catina.scott@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Ms. McEachern | Social Worker | Student Support | jessicam.mceachern@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Mr. Spells | Teacher (School Improvement Team) | Academics | rodrin.spell@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Ms. Cunningham | Teacher (School Improvement Team) | Academics | pm.cunningham@cms.k12.nc.us |
| Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey | Chief Technology Officer (CMS) | Technology Services | 980-344-0037 |
| Rebecca Lehtinen | Executive Director, Educational Technology (CMS) | Technology Services | 980-344-0024 |
| Clark Poole | Executive Director, Information Systems & Support (CMS) | Technology Services | 980-344-0100 |
| Michael Dumas | Executive Director, Network & Security (CMS) | Technology Services | - |
| David Switzer | Executive Director, Building Services & Maintenance (CMS) | Facilities Management | - |
Key Initiatives at a Glance
- Expanding outdoor learning environments to support hands-on instruction.
- Implementing a district-wide student device refresh program to ensure current technology access.
- Deploying Infinite Campus as the new student information system for all school operations.
- Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy and ethical use guidelines into curriculum and staff training.
- Modernizing data reporting platforms for improved instructional and operational decision-making.
- Implementing an advanced IT Service Management (ITSM) platform for efficient technical support.
- Enhancing campus safety protocols through the adoption of the Standard Response Protocol.
What Companies Can Sell to Westerly Hills Academy
| Who Can Sell Here | Current Initiative | Operational Pressure | Seller Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom Technology Vendors | Outdoor Classroom Development | Maintaining technology access and power in outdoor settings. | Offer robust, weather-resistant educational technology and connectivity solutions. |
| Student Device Refresh Program | Managing device inventory, repairs, and equitable distribution. | Provide durable devices, device management software, and support services. | |
| Student Information System Providers | New Student Information System (Infinite Campus) Implementation | Migrating data, training staff, and ensuring system integration. | Offer data migration tools, training programs, and integration expertise. |
| AI Education & Policy Solution Providers | AI Integration & Literacy | Developing grade-appropriate AI curriculum and ensuring ethical use. | Provide AI literacy programs, content, and policy implementation support. |
| Data Management & Analytics Platforms | Data Reporting Platform Modernization | Consolidating disparate data sources for accessible reporting. | Offer scalable data warehousing, analytics, and visualization tools. |
| IT Service Management (ITSM) Solutions | ITSM Platform Implementation (ServiceNow) | Streamlining help desk requests and improving IT support response times. | Provide customizable ITSM platforms and implementation support. |
| Campus Safety & Security Systems | Campus Safety Enhancements (Standard Response Protocol) | Coordinating emergency response and managing incident communication. | Offer incident management platforms and communication systems for safety protocols. |
| Device Management & Repair Services | Student Device Refresh Program | Reducing device downtime and managing large-scale deployments. | Provide rapid repair services, proactive maintenance, and inventory tracking. |
| Digital Learning Content & Platforms | AI Integration & Literacy | Ensuring AI tools enhance, not replace, human learning and teaching. | Offer AI-powered educational tools and content that align with pedagogical goals. |
| Facility Modernization & Outdoor Learning Suppliers | Outdoor Classroom Development | Sourcing durable, low-maintenance materials for sustained outdoor use. | Supply outdoor furniture, weather-resistant AV, and sustainable landscaping. |
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Why Companies Should Consider Selling to Westerly Hills Academy
- Westerly Hills Academy operates within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, an active procurement environment for technology and operational services.
- The academy benefits from district-level funding allocations for significant infrastructure and technology refresh cycles.
- The district's 2025-2026 plans include concrete steps for technology modernization, directly translating to opportunities for vendors in student devices, data systems, and IT support.
- Current initiatives, such as the new student information system and AI integration, create immediate demand for training, implementation support, and compatible educational resources.
- The focus on campus safety and facility upgrades indicates ongoing needs for physical security solutions and building maintenance.
- Key leadership at Westerly Hills Academy and relevant district personnel are directly involved in initiative planning and operational oversight.
1. Outdoor Classroom Development
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Westerly Hills Academy broke ground in June 2025 on a new outdoor classroom. This project creates a garden learning space designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences outside the traditional classroom environment.
Buyer Personas
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
- David Switzer, Executive Director, Building Services & Maintenance (CMS)
- Catina Scott, Dean of Students
Operational Challenges
- Maintaining connectivity and power for digital tools in an outdoor environment.
- Ensuring the durability and safety of instructional materials and equipment exposed to natural elements.
- Coordinating outdoor learning schedules with indoor curriculum and resource availability.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- Outdoor Classroom Furniture & Equipment Suppliers
- Educational Landscaping Services
- Renewable Energy Solutions (portable power)
- Weather-Resistant AV & Technology
- Outdoor Educational Program Providers
Relevant Companies
PlayPower, Inc. — Provides playground equipment and outdoor recreation solutions. Relevant for: Supplying durable and safe outdoor learning structures and installations.
Solaris Technologies — Offers portable solar power solutions for remote power needs. Relevant for: Enabling reliable power access for technology in the outdoor classroom.
Trekker Outdoor Education — Specializes in developing and implementing outdoor learning curricula. Relevant for: Partnering to design engaging and effective outdoor educational programs.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Noticed Westerly Hills Academy recently broke ground on its new outdoor classroom initiative.
Schools developing outdoor learning spaces often encounter challenges ensuring consistent power access for essential technology and maintaining equipment in variable conditions.
We've seen districts integrate self-sustaining power solutions to keep their outdoor classrooms fully operational. Would you be open to discussing best practices?"
2. Student Device Refresh Program
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is implementing a comprehensive device life cycle replacement protocol by June 2026. This initiative ensures that all student devices are less than four years old, encompassing procurement, deployment, and ongoing management across all schools, including Westerly Hills Academy. The 2026 CMS budget allocates $2 million for this refresh.
Buyer Personas
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
- Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey, Chief Technology Officer (CMS)
- Rebecca Lehtinen, Executive Director, Educational Technology (CMS)
- Clark Poole, Executive Director, Information Systems & Support (CMS)
- Mr. Spells, Teacher (School Improvement Team)
Operational Challenges
- Managing a large inventory of devices and ensuring equitable access for all students.
- Coordinating device repair and replacement efficiently to minimize instructional downtime.
- Supporting staff and students with troubleshooting and device maintenance.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- Chromebook & iPad Suppliers
- Device Management Software (MDM)
- IT Support & Helpdesk Solutions
- Device Repair & Maintenance Services
- Asset Management Systems
Relevant Companies
CDW-G — Provides technology solutions, including Chromebooks and educational devices. Relevant for: Supplying new student devices and managing large-scale hardware procurements.
Jamf — Offers mobile device management (MDM) solutions specifically for Apple devices. Relevant for: Streamlining management and security of iPads within the school.
Google Workspace for Education — Provides tools for collaborative learning and device integration. Relevant for: Enhancing the functionality and instructional use of Chromebooks in classrooms.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Saw Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is rolling out its student device refresh program this year to ensure current technology access.
Districts scaling similar device programs often face operational hurdles around efficient device repair workflows and maintaining consistent inventory visibility.
Many schools are adopting integrated asset management and rapid repair services to keep devices in students' hands. Could be worth exploring successful approaches."
3. New Student Information System (Infinite Campus) Implementation
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is launching Infinite Campus as its new student information system (SIS) for the 2025-2026 school year. This system replaces PowerSchool and is designed to provide families with access to grades, assignments, attendance, and schedules.
Buyer Personas
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
- Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey, Chief Technology Officer (CMS)
- Clark Poole, Executive Director, Information Systems & Support (CMS)
- Ms. Kim Brown, Assistant Principal
Operational Challenges
- Migrating historical student data accurately from the previous system to Infinite Campus.
- Providing comprehensive training for all staff on the new system's functionalities.
- Ensuring seamless integration with other existing educational platforms and tools.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- Data Migration Services
- SIS Training & Professional Development
- Educational Software Integration Services
- Parent Communication Platforms (complementary)
- Technical Support for Education
Relevant Companies
Infinite Campus — The new student information system being implemented by CMS. Relevant for: Providing core functionality for student data management and family access.
Blackboard (now Anthology) — Offers training and implementation support for educational software. Relevant for: Delivering professional development to staff on optimizing Infinite Campus usage.
Schoology (part of PowerSchool) — Provides learning management system functionality that can integrate with SIS. Relevant for: Supporting seamless data flow between student information and learning platforms.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Noticed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is implementing Infinite Campus as the new student information system this school year.
Schools transitioning to new SIS platforms often grapple with complex data migration challenges and ensuring comprehensive staff training for optimal system adoption.
We've observed districts successfully manage these shifts by engaging specialized data integration and training partners early in the process. Might be useful to share some insights."
4. AI Integration and Literacy
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools launched a new phase of AI innovation for the 2025-2026 school year. This includes developing grade-level digital citizenship and AI literacy lessons for all students and providing foundational AI literacy training for all staff. CMS also passed a new policy in October 2025 to guide the ethical and responsible use of AI across the district.
Buyer Personas
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
- Rebecca Lehtinen, Executive Director, Educational Technology (CMS)
- Mr. Spells, Teacher (School Improvement Team)
- Ms. Cunningham, Teacher (School Improvement Team)
Operational Challenges
- Developing age-appropriate AI curriculum and integrating it into existing subject areas.
- Ensuring staff are proficient in both utilizing AI tools and teaching AI literacy effectively.
- Establishing clear guidelines for ethical AI use to protect student data and promote academic integrity.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- AI Education Content & Curriculum Developers
- Educational Technology Training Providers
- AI Ethics & Policy Consultants
- Digital Citizenship Platforms
- AI-Powered Learning Tools
Relevant Companies
Common Sense Education — Provides resources and curriculum for digital citizenship and AI literacy. Relevant for: Supporting the development of age-appropriate AI literacy lessons for students.
EdTechTeam — Offers professional development and training for educators on new technologies, including AI. Relevant for: Delivering foundational AI literacy training to Westerly Hills Academy staff.
Turnitin — Provides AI writing detection and feedback tools for academic integrity. Relevant for: Assisting in upholding academic integrity within the context of student AI use.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Recognized Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' initiative to integrate AI literacy across all schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
Districts often encounter challenges in developing effective, age-appropriate AI curricula and ensuring staff have the necessary proficiency to implement these new teaching strategies.
We've observed schools successfully navigate these challenges by partnering with curriculum specialists to embed AI concepts seamlessly into existing subjects. Can share what successful implementations look like."
5. Data Reporting Platform Modernization
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is modernizing its data reporting platforms by June 2026. The goal is to improve the timeliness and accessibility of key data. This directly supports more informed decision-making for instructional and operational strategies across all schools, including Westerly Hills Academy.
Buyer Personas
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
- Aisling Nagel, Assistant Technology Officer of Data Warehouses (CMS)
- Clark Poole, Executive Director, Information Systems & Support (CMS)
- Ms. Kim Brown, Assistant Principal
Operational Challenges
- Consolidating data from various school systems into a single, accessible reporting platform.
- Ensuring data accuracy and integrity across modernized systems.
- Training staff on how to effectively use new data tools to derive actionable insights.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- Data Warehousing Solutions
- Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms
- Data Analytics Services
- Data Integration & ETL Tools
- Data Governance & Security Solutions
Relevant Companies
Tableau — Offers data visualization and business intelligence software. Relevant for: Creating interactive dashboards and reports for school performance data.
PowerSchool (Performance Matters) — Provides analytics and assessment tools for K-12 education. Relevant for: Integrating and analyzing student performance data for instructional improvement.
Microsoft Power BI — Offers a suite of business analytics tools for data analysis and reporting. Relevant for: Developing custom reports and data models for operational insights.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Saw Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is modernizing its data reporting platforms by June 2026 to enhance data accessibility.
Schools often face operational hurdles consolidating disparate data sources and ensuring staff are trained to extract meaningful insights from new reporting tools.
We've seen districts implement streamlined data integration strategies and targeted professional development to maximize the utility of their data platforms. Would you be open to a brief conversation about this?"
6. IT Service Management (ITSM) Platform Implementation
What Westerly Hills Academy Is Doing
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is implementing an advanced IT Service Management (ITSM) platform, ServiceNow, by June 2026. This district-wide initiative aims to decrease ticket resolution times, improve IT operational efficiency, and increase satisfaction for users across all schools, including Westerly Hills Academy.
Buyer Personas
- Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey, Chief Technology Officer (CMS)
- Clark Poole, Executive Director, Information Systems & Support (CMS)
- Michael Dumas, Executive Director, Network & Security (CMS)
- Kiesha Pride, Principal
Operational Challenges
- Customizing the ITSM platform to meet the specific IT support needs of individual schools.
- Training IT staff and school personnel on new service request submission and tracking procedures.
- Integrating the ITSM platform with existing technology asset management systems for streamlined support.
Relevant Company Categories for Westerly Hills Academy
- ITSM Software Providers (e.g., ServiceNow consultants)
- IT Support & Helpdesk Providers
- Workflow Automation Solutions
- Change Management Consultants
- IT Training & Certification Providers
Relevant Companies
ServiceNow — The ITSM platform being implemented by CMS. Relevant for: Providing the core system for managing IT services and support requests.
Insight Enterprises — Offers IT services, including implementation and optimization of ITSM platforms. Relevant for: Assisting with the customization and deployment of ServiceNow for school-specific needs.
Tehama — Provides secure remote work platforms, relevant for IT support teams. Relevant for: Supporting remote IT staff in efficiently resolving technical issues across schools.
Sample Outbound Angle
"Noticed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is implementing an advanced ITSM platform, ServiceNow, to enhance IT operational efficiency by June 2026.
Schools rolling out new ITSM systems often face challenges ensuring effective user adoption and seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure.
We've seen districts accelerate implementation and user satisfaction by focusing on targeted training and process optimization. Can share some insights on maximizing ITSM platform benefits."
Final Take
Westerly Hills Academy is navigating significant operational transformations driven by both school-specific projects and broader district-level initiatives in 2026. The development of an outdoor classroom enhances hands-on learning, while district efforts in student device refresh, new student information system deployment, AI integration, and IT service management directly reshape the academy's technological and instructional landscape. These initiatives create immediate operational pressures related to system integration, staff training, and ongoing support.
Vendors offering solutions in classroom technology, data management, IT support, AI education, and campus safety are well-positioned to assist Westerly Hills Academy. The focus on modernizing technology infrastructure and enhancing operational efficiency presents clear opportunities for partners providing implementation support, professional development, and robust system solutions.
Need help selling to U.S. Schools?
Identify school buying signals like grants, contract renewals, and more, find key decision-maker contacts, and reach out to the right schools at the right time with Pintel.ai.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are Westerly Hills Academy's primary technology initiatives in 2026? Westerly Hills Academy is implementing a student device refresh, deploying Infinite Campus as its new SIS, and integrating AI literacy programs.
Who are the key decision-makers for technology procurement at Westerly Hills Academy? Principal Kiesha Pride, along with district-level technology leaders like Dr. Candace Salmon-Hosey (CTO) and Rebecca Lehtinen (Exec. Dir. Educational Technology), influence technology decisions impacting Westerly Hills Academy.
How does district funding impact Westerly Hills Academy's purchasing power? District-level budgets, like the $2 million allocated for student laptop refresh, directly fund technology procurements that benefit Westerly Hills Academy.
What operational challenges might vendors help Westerly Hills Academy solve? Vendors can assist with data migration for the new SIS, device management and repair, AI curriculum integration, and IT support optimization.
Are there ongoing facility modernization projects at Westerly Hills Academy? Yes, Westerly Hills Academy recently broke ground on an outdoor classroom, and the district has allocated nearly $33 million for campus security and facility upgrades across its schools.