Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools January 2014 | Page 10

Bond will benefit CMS students, schools
Approval of $290 million referendum clears way for 17 high-priority projects
Mecklenburg County voters said yes on Nov. 5 to the CMS $290 million
bond request, giving the green light to 17 projects. The projects were
identified by the district as ways to expand academic options, relieve
overcrowding and provide needed renovations and replacements for
older buildings. Approximately 74% of participating voters supported the
education bonds.
“We are very gratified and honored by the voters’ strong support of
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools,” said Dr. Heath E. Morrison, superintendent.
“We will use this money over the next four years to strengthen our
academic programs and improve school environments for learning. We will
also be better able to accommodate the steady enrollment growth we’re
experiencing each year.”
The 17 projects address some of the highest-priority needs in the district,
boosting academic programs and relieving years of overcrowding at some
schools. The projects also will renovate and replace several older schools.
Two-thirds of CMS schools are more than 30 years old, and 78 of the district’s
160 schools are more than 50 years old. The 2013 bond request will help the
district meet part of its $1.8 billion 10-year capital need.
The bond money will pay for three new schools. A new K-8 language
immersion school will provide relief for overcrowding at Albemarle Road
elementary and middle schools. A new Pre-K-8 will provide relief for
overcrowding at Berryhill and Reid Park elementaries. A new Science,
Technology, Arts, Engineering and Math (STEAM) school will provide relief
to Ballantyne, Elon Park, Hawk Ridge and Polo Ridge elementaries and to
Community House and Jay M. Robinson middle schools.
The bond money will also pay for replacement of three existing
schools, all built in the 1950s: J.M. Alexander Middle and Nations Ford and
Statesville Road elementaries.
Two new conversions, as well as the second phases of six others, are

also planned: The Oakhurst/Starmount project will convert Oakhurst into
a STEAM magnet and Starmount into an elementary school. Davidson
Elementary will become a K-8 sc