Parents Upset After CMS Officials Announce New Schools Will Be Smaller Than Originally Planned

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board meeting was contentious and crowded, according to WCCB’s Drew Bollea.  Three new high schools that will be built with 2017 bond money will be smaller than originally promised due to the lack of funding.

The superintendent says the more than $900M allocated for new school construction is not enough to cover the costs.  Officials say material price, property value, and labor costs have all increased at more than double what CMS planned for.

To offset some of the overrun, staff is recommending the schools, including a new West Charlotte High School be reduced from 125 classrooms to 100 classrooms.

City staff says there will still be enough space for growth despite fewer rooms but West Charlotte residents say they are being misled.

CMS will also hold several town hall meetings in the coming weeks to answer questions about the construction projects.