CMS is hoping to deliver 30 projects using bond money, but not everyone is on board.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is one week away from getting a yes or no for their $2.5 billion bond referendum.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to impact a greater number of schools,” said Crystal Hill, CMS superintendent.
Hill says the money will be used for 30 projects. Chiefly, CMS is hoping to use the funds to replace old buildings and make needed renovations. But not everyone is looking forward to giving the green light.
“There is a better way to do this other than the $2.5 billion bond,” said Pastor Cornelius Atkinson, with the African American Clergy Coalition. Atkinson says he and his fellow clergy members are urging voters to vote no.
“The $2.5 billion bond is not going to add any funds to up teachers’ pay, help recruit teachers for the more than 300 vacancies that are still there, or provide resources to Title I schools,” he said.
Atkinson says there are also concerns about the financial burden this will cause for families living in the corridors. He says a bigger priority should be improving academic progress.
“We believe that there’s a better way to go about educating our children and bringing the test scores up for all children,” said Atkinson.
Superintendent Hill says there’s lots of work that needs to be done academically, but the first step is providing students with the best learning environment.
“We know it’s difficult for students to learn if they’re in a building that doesn’t have appropriate heating or air, loud air conditioning coils over their head or flooding in their in their facilities,” said Hill.
She says it’s an investment that is urgently needed and the district is hoping many residents will support ahead of next week.
“We believe it’s an investment that’s worthwhile to of course impact the children of Mecklenburg County,” she said.
CMS says if the bond does not pass, the county will still have to find a way to address the needs which could result in prolonged projects, costing taxpayers more money.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.