Families worried plans for new high school will disrupt neighborhood

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A big, empty plot of land could soon become the newest high school in Cabarrus County.

The land is 1.5 miles away from Northwest Cabarrus High School, which the new school would replace.

Last week, county commissioners, staff and school board officials discussed the need for new schools and moving quickly on land purchases.

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County leaders then signed a letter of intent Monday night to buy more than 100 acres along the Kannapolis Parkway near Dogwood Boulevard for $5 million.

But the plan comes with a lot of concern from families who live next to the property.

Matt Belk said he loves the peace and quiet of his home in the Coddle Creek neighborhood.

The new school would be built behind his home.

"We don’t even have, you know, sewer and water out here," Belk. "We’re on septic tank and well water, but they want to build a brand-new school in the backyard.”

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One street over, Mark Bigos is even closer to where the school could be.

“I would not have put all the money into my home, in my backyard, that I did in the last year, that’s for sure,” he said.

Both Bigos and Belk said they hope they'll get a chance to weigh in on the plan.

“I would expect, you know, to be invited to meetings and things like that -- how it impacts my backyard, how it impacts my overall quality of life here,” Bigos said.

Officials said it would cost about $83 million to build the new school.

Cox Media Group