Post Editorial Board
Last week’s defeat of the $427 million Charlotte-Mecklenburg School bonds moves the district one step closer to a meltdown of epic proportions.
As a show of frustration with how the Board of Education handles spending, management and pupil assignment, voters overwhelmingly turned back the package, which would have built new schools that would relieve overcrowding while renovating inner city campuses that have fallen behind on maintenance. A strong push by conservatives helped fan the flames, but the school board’s ineptitude and a massive case of sticker shock were likely enough to sink the referendum. The fallout, however, could portend serious ramifications for the county, CMS and students alike.
For the county, Republican commissioners Bill James and Dan Bishop argue that Mecklenburg can alleviate overcrowding by issuing Certificates of Participation, or COPs, to build schools in the suburbs. The Republicans, who demanded CMS hold the line on spending when they were in the majority two years ago, should be applauded for their change of heart. But issuing COPs is riskier for the county financially and doesn’t address renovation issues in areas that sorely need them.
Democratic commissioners, on the other hand, pledged to help public schools find the money to ease overcrowding and maintain equity. Although the referendum went down in flames, they’ve been painted into a corner: issue COPs or face criticism for doing nothing. Democrats, most notably Dumont Clarke and Norman Mitchell, have publicly opposed COPs after a resounding public decision on the bonds, using Charlotte City Council’s reversal of the failed arts and entertainment referendum of 2001 as a cautionary tale of abiding by voters’ wishes. The Democrats won that skirmish Tuesday by defeating the COPs proposal.
So what will happen next? We suggest that public input be allowed to go forward with the new school board, which returns many of the same characters that put the district into this mess. They should hammer out a new proposal that takes into account Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s overall needs, which requires a centrist, mature study of issues facing the district. Then offer it to commissioners for a referendum.
One thing is sure: Suburban schools will continue to overflow without new construction. Older campuses will continue to deteriorate without renovation and upgrades. And communities will continue to balkanize based on geography, economics and politics. If Mecklenburg citizens are determined to send a message to the school district and elect representatives who share that view, it should be consistent. If it’s fiscal restraint, so be it. If it’s aggressive spending, we should be ready to live with it. Staying this confusing course only leaves everyone railing for top-flight education without the assets - or courage - to make anything of consequence happen.
Volume 31, No. 09
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