So $516 million it is, with 68 percent of that total for new construction. And “balanced” across the county in a manifestly political bid to build support for the bond.
CMS chief Peter Gorman thinks this is a winning hand. It is, in fact, a big gamble.
As we’ve tried to point out here — evidently to no avail — making school building choices on primarily political grounds turns off voters. They are smart enough to know that if the process is political at the front-end, it will continue to be political right until the front-loaders roll. CMS whims and insider games will drive where the dollars go, not actual need.
This, of course, assumes the Mecklenburg County Commission backs the latest CMS handiwork. I have got to believe that all the weight of official Charlotte will come down on Valerie Woodward to make sure there are five votes on the commission for this plan on August 14.
From there it will be a three month campaign to convince voters that all is well in the package.
