Cabarrus County voters rejected both bond referendums totaling $400 million for school and community college facilities in the Nov. 3 election, according to unofficial returns with all 38 precincts reporting.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections reported the following totals in the county’s 9:46 p.m. Nov. 3 upload, checked Nov. 4:

  • School bonds, up to $340 million: 42,115 votes against (51.01%) and 40,446 for (48.99%). The measure failed by 1,669 votes.
  • Community college bonds, up to $60 million: 42,914 against (51.98%) and 39,644 for (48.02%). The measure failed by 3,270 votes.

The two questions were decided independently. Neither secured voter authorization for the proposed borrowing. All returns remain unofficial until verification and certification. The county election-results page links to subsequent updates.

What voters rejected

The school question sought borrowing for Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools; the separate community college question concerned Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The project and tax estimates below describe the proposals voters rejected, rather than approved spending or an enacted tax increase.

The proposed projects

The $340 million school bond proposal covered projects across two districts, as we reported Oct. 29. The largest single project for Cabarrus County Schools is an approximately $140 million replacement of Central Cabarrus High School, to be built on the current Highway 49 site while students remain in the existing building, according to Cabarrus Compass.

The plan also included $45.15 million for repairs across the district: HVAC and plumbing work at four elementary schools, roof replacements at five schools and parking improvements at five schools. Conceptual design for a future southern Cabarrus County high school is also included.

For Kannapolis City Schools, the largest project is an approximately $95 million renovation and expansion of A.L. Brown High School, built in 1952. Plans call for demolishing the structurally condemned Cannon Gym and constructing a new 50,000-square-foot facility. A $25 million expansion of Jackson Park Elementary is also proposed.

The $60 million community college bond would fund two projects at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's South Campus in Concord: a $52.5 million Workforce Innovation Center and $7.5 million in renovations to Building S201, the campus's first building, constructed in 1990, according to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Tax impact and timeline

County Manager John Eller said in an August message that the county would borrow money only as projects move forward, phasing in any tax increase over time. For a home valued at $300,000, the estimated annual tax impact of both bonds combined would be up to $150 per year once all funds have been borrowed, according to the county's bond FAQ.

The earliest a rate increase could take effect would be fiscal year 2027-28, though Eller said it would more likely begin in fiscal year 2028-29, starting July 1, 2028. Cabarrus County holds AAA bond ratings from all three major rating services, which the county said would allow more favorable interest rates.

North Carolina law requires the ballot to show the highest interest rate charged for similar debt over the past 20 years. That figure represents a worst-case scenario, not what taxpayers would likely pay, according to the county FAQ.