Parents at Collinswood Language Academy in south Charlotte say they stumbled onto a disturbing scene this week along the edge of campus: used needles, human waste and piles of trash scattered around the vacant Smith Family Center that borders the school. One parent’s cellphone video shows people moving in and out of the building and a needle lying close to the structure. Families say the discovery has reignited long-standing fears that the empty property is a direct health and safety risk to students.
CMS begins cleanup and steps up patrols
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools told families it is ramping up security and cleanup at the site. CMS Police and Building Services are planning a joint walk-through to clear and secure the Smith property, new “No Trespassing” signs will go up, police patrols will increase to twice a day, and Building Services will conduct weekly checks while a school resource officer remains on campus. The district says it is weighing disposal options for the property and expects a decision within several months, adding that any demolition would require asbestos abatement and compliance with state statutory procedures. A CMS facilities team was already spotted at the Smith site with a dump truck starting debris removal, and the district’s email to parents was summarized by WBTV.
Smith Family Center’s troubled health history
The vacant building at 1600 Tyvola Road has a history that makes parents even more uneasy. CMS shut down the Smith Family Center in March 2021 after employees complained about building conditions, then later examined whether the site might have negative health impacts. Local reporting has documented multiple current and former employees who said they were diagnosed with cancer after working in the building. The school board launched an occupational health review and federal agencies later looked into the matter, according to WFAE.
Parents demand a clear timeline
Parents including Emily Zodtner and Brad Bissell told reporters that seeing open needles next to their children’s school was “alarming and shocking” and “the last straw” for many families. They have launched a petition calling for demolition of the Smith building and a specific timetable for disposing of the site, with signatures building in recent days. Those quotes were reported online by WBTV, and the petition itself is posted on Change.org.
Why a permanent fix is not instant
Even as crews haul away trash, parents are being told that a lasting solution will take time. Any disposal of the property, including demolition, has to move through environmental reviews, asbestos abatement and other state procedures. Local advocates say cleanup should be paired with outreach that offers services to people living on the site, while enforcement measures protect students. Mecklenburg County advocates have cited roughly 2,784 people experiencing homelessness in the county as of mid-2024, underscoring the need to match enforcement with services, according to the Home Again Foundation. Community organizers say they plan to keep pressing the district for a firm timeline in the months ahead.
