Local

Voters pass Mecklenburg County school bonds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County voters passed two bond referendums Tuesday totaling $500 million.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is receiving $290 million in bonds for 17 projects. Those projects include replacement schools and renovations to deal with aging buildings. The money will address overcrowding with relief schools and additions. The money will also be used for school conversions. Two existing buildings will be repurposed and some schools will become K-8.

CPCC is receiving $210 million in bonds for 10 projects. The money will pay for new classrooms, space for manufacturing and technology training and new labs. CPCC will also renovate existing buildings.

CMS superintendent Heath Morrison told Channel 9 the money is really needed because of aging schools and continued growth.
He said he is grateful for the money but knows there are many other schools that need attention as well.

"Our 10-year capital plan is close to $2 billion. We continue to have increased enrollment, aging facilities and we need to address technology in our schools," Morrison said.

Some of the projects aim to increase education options. There are plans for a new STEAM magnet school, infrastructure to support more career and technical education, and two new CMS-CPCC middle colleges.

CMS says the first money will be released from the county in July of 2014. The first projects will repurpose Oakhurst and Starmount Elementary, and build replacement schools at Nations Ford Elementary and Statesville Road Elementary.

For more information on the bonds follow these links: