CMS needs $5.25 billion for new facilities. Dennis LaCaria will help lead the way
Dennis LaCaria is at the forefront of ensuring Mecklenburg County’s children go to school in quality facilities.
While he hardly has the last say — the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education does — his input is crucial in a district with more than 140,000 students and billions of dollars of building needs.
LaCaria is a consultant and contractor with more than 15 years experience in Mecklenburg County leading real estate planning and real estate strategy. The 51-year-old helps represent CMS’ best interests in facilitating the district’s construction process from design through construction.
He has been integral in negotiating land exchanges to help CMS secure space to build quality facilities in a county that has very little extra land available.
And 2023 is going to be a huge year.
CMS says it needs more than $5.25 billion to complete 125 projects — from new schools to athletic facilities. Some of that $5.25 billion could be on November 2023 ballots in a bond referendum. LaCaria will help the school board revise the list in January, ask the public for input and decide a final price tag.
LaCaria says it seems like a lot of money, but the need over 10 years is great.
“I try to keep the focus on the kids,” LaCaria says. “Recognizing that there can be all sorts of ramifications of a recommendation or decision for the students who are in a given school or program today, and weighing that against the incredible amount of need we have across the district as well as the best possible long-term outcomes. This also means trying to keep in mind the future students, the ones who aren’t even born yet; that’s the inherent challenge in long-range planning.”
While helping the school board make decisions, LaCaria says he’ll consider how to provide more stability and certainty, better ensure the sustainability of a program and the most responsible way to employ the district’s resources to be efficient and effective.
LaCaria will help make the community aware of the entirety of CMS’ capital needs, build consensus around the plan, and educate voters on the bond.
In the last 21 years, Mecklenburg County has invested $2.4 billion in capital funding projects for quality facilities compared to Wake County’s $3.9 billion.
“The capital needs of CMS are real and, when addressed, have the potential to significantly improve the working conditions for our students and staff,” LaCaria said, “and therefore positively impact student outcomes. It’s about our community and our students.”
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
