Cabarrus County voters can cast early ballots on a proposed $340 million school bond after in-person voting opened Thursday, Oct. 15.

The bond is the largest of two questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. If approved, it would fund the on-site replacement of Central Cabarrus High School in Concord. The bond would also pay for conceptual design of a future southern high school and maintenance projects at more than a dozen campuses, according to Cabarrus County Schools. The $340 million covers projects within both Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools.

A second, separate question asks voters to authorize up to $60 million for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College facilities. Voters can approve or reject each question independently.

What the money would cover

The school bond would pay for new construction, roof replacements, HVAC and plumbing upgrades, and parking improvements. Among the Cabarrus County Schools projects listed by the district:

  • New construction: On-site replacement of Central Cabarrus High School and conceptual design for a southern high school
  • HVAC and plumbing: Winecoff Elementary, Rocky River Elementary, Bethel Elementary and Mount Pleasant Elementary
  • Roof replacement: A.T. Allen Elementary, C.C. Griffin Middle, Patriots Elementary, Harold E. Winkler Middle and J.N. Fries Middle
  • Parking improvements: W.M. Irvin Elementary, Harris Road Middle, J.N. Fries Middle, Weddington Hills Elementary and W.R. Odell Primary

County officials have estimated combined school capital needs exceeding $1 billion over the next decade, driven by aging buildings and enrollment growth, according to Cabarrus Compass.

Tax impact

The ballot language, drawn from a bond order the Board of Commissioners adopted July 21, spells out the cost. The school bond's estimated cumulative price over its life is $530.8 million, including roughly $190.8 million in interest, according to the county's bond disclosure statement. County Finance Director James Howden estimated a property tax increase of $0.0425 per $100 of assessed value, or $42.50 per year for a home assessed at $100,000.

The community college bond would add an estimated $7.50 per year per $100,000 of assessed value.

Where and when to vote early

Four sites are open across the county. The Cabarrus County Board of Elections office is not an early voting location. The sites:

  • Cabarrus EMS HQ Station 9 — 793 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord
  • Afton Ridge Active Living Center and Library — 6095 Glen Afton Blvd., Kannapolis
  • Cabarrus Arena and Events Center — 4751 NC Hwy 49, Concord
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College at NC Research Campus — 399 Biotechnology Ln., Kannapolis

Hours run 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays through Oct. 31, with Saturday hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. All voters must show a photo ID. Same-day voter registration is available during the early voting period, according to the Cabarrus County Board of Elections.

Upcoming forums

Cabarrus County Schools is hosting a community forum on Thursday, Oct. 22, at H.E. Winkler Middle School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The forum is the last of three the district scheduled this fall. Superintendent John Kopicki and County Manager John Eller are among the officials listed as available to answer questions at the county's separate information sessions.

The county is also holding a session at Harrisburg Library, 201 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, on Monday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.