CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is ready to hit the gas, ramping up the first phase of their bond projects.
"Our goal is to build and build fast," said Nicole Portee, assistant superintendent of operations for the district. "We want to ensure that work is being completed in phases and that we can finish by the specified timeframe."
Next year, Mecklenburg County will fund the district with $907 million for eight projects. The district said the main focus is time, money, and logistics. CMS said the first two projects likely to be completed would be projects that began in 2017 at South Mecklenburg High and Northwest School of the Arts.
"I would say those would be the first two that would be completed just because they started earlier than the remaining projects," said Portee.
Portee said the remaining projects will have to go through the first phase - the design phase - which can take up to a year to complete. She says the next steps would be zoning, permitting, and lastly breaking ground.
"No one likes to go through the process. But once the beautiful school is there, it would be worth it," said Portee.
The district says right now, it does not have a solid timeline for when the first phase will be completed. But as the work continues, there are plans to provide updates.
"The intent is as we work through the process, we would be providing updates to the community, families, students, and communities," said Portee.
CMS leaders said the goal is to ensure everyone understands the timing around each project.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.