CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Tuesday, residents will head to the polls to vote in North Carolina and voters will be asked to approve a $2.5 billion bond referendum for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district.
As WCNC Charlotte previously reported, this bond referendum marks the largest ask by a school district in North Carolina. But if approved, will taxpayers have to pay more money in the upcoming years?
OUR SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
The county confirms that if the bond passes, it will require property tax increases in 2025, 2028 and 2029 of 1 cent per $100 valuation.
Let’s break down what that really means for your wallet.
Let’s say your home’s assessed value is currently $300,000, that means with the new tax increase you would be taxed an additional $30 from 2025 through 2027, then $60 in 2028 and $90 in 2029.
For the latest Verify stories, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
CMS said the bond money would tackle a slew of issues, naming 30 projects that would, in their words, "improve educational environments, offer more academic options, alleviate overcrowding, and renovate and replace aging CMS facilities."
Some of those major projects include:
- $98 million for Albemarle Road Middle School to replace the onsite facility with 54 modern classrooms.
- $201 million for East Mecklenburg High School to replace the balance of campus building.
- $228 million to North Mecklenburg High School to fund the final phase, including the onsite replacement of the balance of campus.
CMS said if the bond does not pass, it will still have to find a way to address those needs, which could result in delayed projects, costing taxpayers more money, in the end.
WCNC Charlotte's Verify series is all about trying to make a difference in the Carolinas by making sure the community has the correct information. WCNC Charlotte outlines concisely what we know and what we don't know. Sometimes the answer can be surprising. Watch previous stories where we verify social media claims in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.