Harvey Gantt: I’m voting ‘yes’ on the school bond package - and you should | Opinion
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Harvey Gantt: Vote ‘yes’ on CMS bonds
The writer served on Charlotte City Council 1974-83 and was mayor 1983-87.
I was pleased when our Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board and administration put forth a major bond issue to address long standing physical facility needs that would improve greatly the environment for teaching across all of Charlotte.
At a time in our state where public education funding is under serious threat from our legislature, it was refreshing to see our local schools taking bold steps to make our public schools better.
Historically, over the last four decades, our community has supported public education and most bond issues. In Charlotte- Mecklenburg, most citizens, across all economic spectrums, remain invested in public schools. School board meetings are alive, healthy debates over how we educate our children demonstrate that we care. We should never take that concern and interest for granted. Too many cities across the country show signs that a good part of their communities have lost interest in public schools and there is a high cost for this benign neglect.
I feel good about the overwhelming support for this bond package that I see from our citizens. Nevertheless, I have heard some opposition from some respected leaders related to timing and size of the bond issue, increased taxes and loss of ownership due to accelerated gentrification. These may be reasonable concerns, but none are compelling enough to deny our children what they need over the next decade.
The $2.5 billion in the bond package builds and renovates schools all over the county, including many in our poorest neighborhoods. The bonds backed by our votes will afford the county the cheapest interest rates, which will mean lower tax increases (estimated at $40 per year on a home valued at $400,000). In a growing county, we will need to improve our schools anyway, and the county will have to deal with higher costs and higher interest rates using other methods of financing.
The issue of gentrification is real, but it is a stretch to suggest that this bond referendum, with a relatively low tax increase, will have an impact on gentrification either way.
I sincerely hope Mecklenburg County voters will join me in supporting our children, our school board, teachers and staff and get to the polls by Nov. 7 and vote ‘Yes!’ on the school bond package.
Harvey Gantt, Charlotte
CMS bond will help build futures
The writer is a senior vice president at Novant Health.
When it comes to our children’s future, the community’s role in shaping the environment where learning unfolds is crucial. This is why, after careful consideration and review of compelling evidence, my stance on school bonds is unwaveringly affirmative.
The 30 projects financed by the bonds will positively impact 35 campuses across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Up-to-date facilities equipped with modern technology have been shown to correlate positively with academic performance, and adequate facilities help recruit the best teachers. This isn’t a matter of lavish spending but of fundamental responsibility.
According to the 2021 State of Our Schools report, students in above-standard school buildings perform up to 17% better on academic assessments than students in substandard buildings, even controlling for socioeconomic status. Just as important, longstanding deficiencies in public school facilities pose health risks for students, staff and families, particularly in underserved communities. This has been called a national emergency.
Bonds are the appropriate way to finance needed capital improvements. I urge you to join me in this investment and vote yes for the school bond, ensuring our children have the robust foundation they need to thrive academically.
Let us build more than just buildings. Let’s build futures.
Raki McGregor, Charlotte