CMS to ask for $2.8B bond as current capitol projects remain incomplete

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said the building that houses Bruns Avenue Elementary in west Charlotte is past its prime.

The school was built in 1969.

Twelve of the classrooms have no windows.

Voters approved funding in 2017 for a new 45-classroom building, and construction has finally begun.

CMS is still working through construction, which was paid for through the nearly $1 billion bond voters approved in 2017.

This is happening as school district leaders prepare to vote on another bond, which is $2.8 billion.

“When a bond passes, we don’t just get a big check and get to go right to work,” said Dennis Lacaria, a CMS consultant.

“We actually have to work through a funding plan that’s put together by the county.”

There is just over $119 million left to complete 15 different projects.

Twelve are under construction and three are in the design phase.

“It’s not a matter of us not doing the work,” Lacaria said. “It’s doing the work sort of in the way that is planned and ordered and ordained by logistics, sometimes the funding speed.”

That couldn’t be truer for the highly anticipated new high school going in the southern part of the county.

It’s slated to relieve overcrowding at South Meck, Myers Park, and Ardrey Kell high schools.

At 17% completion, it’s not expected to open to students until 2024.

“That’s probably the project that most illustrates the cost disconnect over time, and the impact of inflation, the shortage of materials, and the shortage of labor,” Lacaria said.

This is going on when CMS could decide to ask voters for their support in November.

A $2.8 billion capital improvement bond could be proposed that includes about 30 projects.

The CMS School Board will vote Tuesday night on whether to put the $2.8 billion bond on November’s ballot.

After that, county commissioners must approve it before it can to voters for the final say.

Click here for information on CMS’ projects.

VIDEO: CMS apart of House Bill that will give districts flexibility on start dates

CMS apart of House Bill that will give districts flexibility on start dates

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