CMS bond referendum could provide much-needed improvements to schools if passed
Despite desperately needing some upgrades, Allenbrook Elementary in west Charlotte is still among Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools that see high achievement from its students.
“A tree root has actually grown under the foundation of the building and has compromised the foundation,” CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill said.
Hill showed Channel 9 around the 21-classroom campus that was built in 1966. The school is a prime example of why voters should support the $2.5 billion CMS bond referendum in November.
“This school is actually prone to flooding,” Hill said.
The coalition pushing the bonds held its official launch at Allenbrook.
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Channel 9 learned this week that schools across the district have seen their HVAC systems fail, leaving students to learn in incredibly hot conditions.
“It’s something we are consistently working on,,” Hill said. “In these extreme temperatures, we have multiple air system failures, so it speaks directly to the need for the bond.”
If the bond is approved, 20 high-priority projects would alleviate overcrowding and replace old facilities.
“When you only do patch work, you’re never gonna get caught up, we’ve never really gotten a bond package until maybe 5 or 6 years ago,” Hill said.
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Former CMS school board chair Mary McCray is now co-chairing the “vote yes for school bonds” effort.
“You have to educate the public that this is how bonds work,” McCray said.
The bond would help replace facilities at South Meck High School.
If the bond passes, it will be a lot larger than what was requested years ago.
One former school board member, Sean Strain, issued a statement in response to the proposed bonds.
“In short, the Bond as requested is unnecessary and irresponsible. The CMS staff, and the students CMS is honored to serve, absolutely require and deserve continued capital investment in the facilities and infrastructure supporting the 17th largest school district in the country,” Strain said. “That said, this Bond referendum is 150% larger than that which was requested 6 years ago - a Bond that was passed and has subsequently fallen short of what was promised. A good example being the district’s decision after the fact to reduce the high school sizes they had promised by 20%; 150% larger despite fewer students. Requiring additional debt service and as such additional tax burden, despite fallen enrollment and market share. And student performance. Math and language literacy rates have not fallen due to lack of capital investment. Nor would this, even if delivered as promised, make a dent in those faces and futures that are being neglected due to cultural issues - low expectations and lack of accountability. No, the scale of this School Bond referendum is excessive; 250% of the previous Bond lacks justification, debt capacity and management capacity to deliver.”
The bond projects can be seen here.
>> In the video at the top of the page, Lowe explains the need for the bond referendum.
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