Cabarrus County Schools will host three community forums this fall to help residents learn more about the school bond referendum that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The CCS School Bond Community Forums will provide information about projects proposed for bond funding, the district’s long-term facility needs and how general obligation bond financing works. CCS staff will also be available to answer questions from attendees.
All three forums will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Thursday, Sept. 17: Cox Mill High School
Tuesday, Oct. 6: Central Cabarrus High School
Thursday, Oct. 22: H.E. Winkler Middle School
The forums are free and open to the public, and residents can attend whichever session is most convenient.
According to CCS, the forums are intended to provide factual information about the referendum and give residents an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed projects, why they are needed, how bond funding works and the potential financial impact.
Cabarrus County voters will be asked in November to approve up to $340 million in school bonds for projects within Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools. Voters will also consider a separate referendum authorizing up to $60 million in bonds for capital projects at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
The referendum comes as both school districts face significant long-term facility needs. County officials estimate their combined capital needs will exceed $1 billion over the next decade, driven by enrollment growth, aging facilities and major maintenance needs.
In April, the Cabarrus County Board of Education formally asked county commissioners to place a $300 million school bond referendum on the November ballot.
That request was based on priorities identified in CCS’s 2026 Long-Term Capital Plan, including a $140 million replacement of Central Cabarrus High School, a $55 million renovation of Northwest Cabarrus Middle School and $15 million to convert the former R. Brown McAllister Elementary School into a future pre-K center.
Cabarrus County is also hosting four community forums this fall focused on the two general obligation bond referendums.
Those forums will feature CCS Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki, Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sara Newell, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol Spalding and Cabarrus County Manager John Eller, who will be available to answer questions about the proposed bonds and the projects they could fund.
The county forums are scheduled for:
Wednesday, Sept. 16: Mt. Pleasant Library & Active Living Center, 1111 N. Washington St., from 6 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29: Afton Library & Active Living Center, 6095 Glen Afton Blvd., from 6 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13: The Swanee Theatre, 200 West Ave., from 6 to 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26: Harrisburg Library, 201 Sims Pkwy., from 6 to 7 p.m.
More information about the referendum is available through CCS’s bond information page, Cabarrus County’s bond referendum FAQ and the county’s General Obligation Bond Impact Estimator.