Local

CMS superintendent to make case for $805M bond on November ballot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Ann Clark will make her case Tuesday for the county to place an $805 million bond to pay for new schools and other projects on the November ballot.

Clark said the district can't afford to wait and that the needs will continue to grow, and construction costs will get more expensive.

Channel 9 has been told that the bond proposal would fund 10 new schools while four schools would be rebuilt. It would also pay for renovations to 14 schools and an administrative facility.

Out of the 10 proposed new schools, there would be one new elementary school in the west district and three new schools in east Charlotte.

There would also be three new high schools in the west, south and east Charlotte districts.

Some county commissioners are concerned that the bond is being pushed through too quickly but Clark said the agency that accredits the district gave CMS feedback on the condition of its buildings.

“The board's conversation became even more serious about the need to accelerate our request to the county to at least put up the flag -- a red flag -- that we've got some concerns,” Clark said.

The bond would be in addition to the $1.4 billion budget that pays for operating expenses.

Later Tuesday night, the school board will decide whether to draw new boundary lines for student assignment.

The board has been considering the idea all year and developed their guiding principles. They want schools to be diverse, while keeping students in schools near their neighborhoods.

If the board decides to move forward, they'll spend the rest of the year coming up with new boundary lines for the 2017-2018 school year.

Channel 9 will monitor developments out of both meetings and will have full reports on Eyewitness News at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: