The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the board of directors of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce both voted overwhelmingly to support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bond package on the ballot this November. Both are important endorsements of the Vote Yes for School Bonds campaign, which has a mission to empower communities by advocating for the approval of bonds, fostering progress through strategic investments in schools, and securing a prosperous future for children across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The bonds will be used to pay for 30 transformative projects that are expected to break ground over the course of seven years, replacing or renovating outdated schools across the country, creating safer and healthier learning environments for students.
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® is leading the Vote Yes for Bonds campaign with the support of three consulting firms. The campaign is chaired by Mary McCray, a longtime CMS educator; Ralph Lopez Masses, a senior vice president at American Airlines; and David Longo, chairman and CEO of CBI Workplace Solutions.
“If we want equal opportunities and better outcomes for our students – especially our most vulnerable students – we must provide them with healthy and safe learning environments,” McCray, who taught in CMS schools for 25 years, said. “This bond is long overdue. It will help keep our students safe and give them opportunities to learn in facilities they deserve.”
Several projects will take place in northern Mecklenburg County, including North Mecklenburg High School, Cornelius Elementary School, Huntersville Elementary, and a new middle school in Huntersville.
Many of the projects fall within the crescent of the City of Charlotte, including a replacement for the Second Ward High School, a historically Black high school in Charlotte that first opened its doors 100 years ago.
