Cabarrus County will host four community forums this fall to help residents learn more about the two general obligation bond referendums that will appear on the November ballot and get answers to any questions they may have.
Voters will be asked to approve up to $340 million in school bonds for Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools, along with up to $60 million for capital projects at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
The school bond comes as CCS and KCS face significant long-term facility needs. County officials estimate the districts’ combined capital needs will exceed $1 billion over the next decade, driven by enrollment growth, aging facilities and major maintenance needs.
Cabarrus County Manager John Eller will participate in the forums alongside CCS Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki, KCS Superintendent Dr. Sara Newell and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Dr. Carol Spalding.
“We’re not there to debate whether someone should vote yes or no, that’s not what these are for,” Eller told The Cabarrus Compass during a recent interview. “It’s more to make sure that everyone is educated and understands really what this means.”
The upcoming community bond conversations are scheduled for:
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Mt. Pleasant Library & Active Living Center
1111 N. Washington St.
6–7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Afton Library & Active Living Center
6095 Glen Afton Blvd.
6–7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
The Swanee Theatre
200 West Ave.
6–7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26
Harrisburg Library
201 Sims Pkwy.
6–7 p.m.
The county’s General Obligation Bond Referendum FAQ points to long-term capital needs identified by all three educational institutions as examples of projects that could be funded through the bonds.
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 outlined in the district’s 2026 Long-Term Capital Plan, including a $140 million replacement for 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.
The plan also identifies $135 million in deferred maintenance, divided into three phases, for HVAC replacements, roof repairs, parking lot improvements and other infrastructure needs across the district.
Kannapolis City Schools has significant capital needs of its own, including major projects at A.L. Brown High School and Jackson Park Elementary School.
The district’s $31.5 million A.L. Brown project calls for 50,000 square feet of additional space, including 16 classrooms and a cafeteria. A $26.5 million project at Jackson Park would add 40,000 square feet, including 16 classrooms and a gymnasium. Both projects are currently in the pre-construction phase.
Cabarrus County’s estimated share is $24.3 million for the A.L. Brown project and $13.5 million for Jackson Park. KCS has also identified $20.1 million in deferred maintenance needs.
The $60 million Rowan-Cabarrus Community College bond would help fund construction of a new Workforce Innovation Center and renovations to a building on the college’s South Campus, expanding space for workforce training programs.