Concord and Harrisburg families have two chances left to ask questions about the $340 million school bond before it goes to voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Cabarrus County Schools will hold forums on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Central Cabarrus High School and Thursday, Oct. 22, at H.E. Winkler Middle School, both from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., according to a CCS announcement. A first forum was held Sept. 17 at Cox Mill High School.

The bond referendum asks voters to approve up to $340 million in general obligation bonds for school construction and maintenance across the district, which serves more than 35,000 students. The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners adopted the bond order on July 21.

What the bond would fund

The proposed project list includes an on-site replacement of Central Cabarrus High School, conceptual design for a new southern high school, HVAC and plumbing work at four elementary schools and roof replacements at five schools. Parking improvements at five additional campuses are also included.

Thirteen of the district's 44 schools were built before 2000, according to CCS records. Six are more than 40 years old. The last school bond referendum in Cabarrus County was held in 2014 to fund the replacement of Royal Oaks School of the Arts.

What it would cost homeowners

The official ballot language estimates the total cost of the bonds at $530.8 million over their lifetime, using the highest interest rate on similar debt over the past 20 years. That includes $190.8 million in estimated interest on top of the $340 million in principal. Property owners would see an estimated increase of $42.50 per year for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

A separate question on the same ballot asks voters to approve up to $60 million in bonds for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College capital projects.

Futures Fair on Oct. 13

Between the two bond forums, the district will host its CCS Futures Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. The evening combines a Program Choice Fair from 5 to 7 p.m. and a College, Career and Military Fair from 6 to 8 p.m.

Families can explore program choice options for the 2027–28 school year. New this cycle, students can rank up to three programs on a single application instead of filing separate ones. Applications open Thursday, Oct. 1, and close Monday, Nov. 30.

The career fair is open to 11th- and 12th-grade students and their families. College admissions representatives, military recruiters and local employers will attend. Students visiting college booths should register for a barcode at StriveFair.com before the event.

County forums and voter registration

Cabarrus County is also hosting its own forums on both bond referendums. The session closest to Harrisburg is Monday, Oct. 26, at the Harrisburg Library, 201 Sims Pkwy., from 6 to 7 p.m., the Cabarrus Compass reported. Scheduled panelists include CCS Superintendent John Kopicki, Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent Sara Newell, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College President Carol Spalding and County Manager John Eller.

The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election is Friday, Oct. 9. The Cabarrus County Board of Elections office is at 369 Church St. N in Concord and can be reached at (704) 920-2860.