‘ A YES to kids . We are ready to go to work .’ CMS superintendent says students will benefit from bond approval
Dr . Clayton Wilcox , superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools , said the district is ready to begin the projects to be funded by the 2017 bond referendum approved by voters on Nov . 7 .
“ We are very grateful to the citizens of Mecklenburg County for the support given to our kids ,” Dr . Wilcox . “ The approval of the bond request means we can begin improving schools and creating better opportunities for our students and teachers – and we ’ re ready to go to work .”
The bond request will fund 17 new schools and renovations and additions at 12 others that are among the district ’ s oldest buildings . In all , the bond request will relieve overcrowding at 20 schools and provide 1,250 new or renovated classrooms for more than 20,000 students .
“ The approval of the bond means that we will be able to expand access to some of our most popular programs ,” Dr . Wilcox said . “ We ’ ll also be able to create and provide learning spaces worthy of our students and our staff , expanding the scope of teaching and learning across the district .”
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners , which put the bond on the ballot , said that it would not require raising taxes . The $ 922 million in funding will help Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools address pressing capital needs . The district estimates capital needs of more than $ 2 billion to meet the needs of students and teachers .
“ We ’ ve learned a lot in the process of sharing information about the need for the bonds ,” Dr . Wilcox said . “ We heard the community ’ s hopes and concerns for improving the educational experiences for our children and we realize that more work remains . We will continue our commitment to delivering excellent education experiences in all of our schools .”
He also said that although work would begin on the bond projects next summer , they are a multi-year series of projects .
“ The voters have spoken on behalf of this community ’ s children and have said yes to investing in students ,” said Mary T . McCray , chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education . “ With this funding , we will increase academic choices for students and provide the education they need to succeed in the 21st century .”
‘ The value of a dollar ’ Rocky River High students learn financial lessons
More than 200 Rocky River High students got a taste of reality when they took part in a financial literacy program presented by the State Employees ’ Credit Union Nov . 8 .
This is the second year the school has presented the program , called “ The Reality of Money .” About 60 volunteers assisted in the simulation , which assigns each student details such as occupation , salary , number of children and debt . Students visit 12 stations representing monthly expenses , such as transportation and housing , and make financial decisions that will allow them to live within their means .
The program exposes students to several financial learning points , said Joshua Lee , SECU senior financial officer . They learn the value of furthering their education after high school , the limiting effect bad credit has on lifestyle choices and how living within their means allows them to save for their financial future .
“ We are giving students the tools they need and giving them a small glimpse of being an adult ,” Lee said . “ While The Reality of Money is not the total lesson for financial education , it gets the conversation started .”
The program was an eye-opening experience for some students . Junior Orlando Perez shook his head as he looked at the budget he created and saw how the small things add up .
“ The necessities really outweigh the wants ,” he said . “ I had to go way down on entertainment and even things like clothes so I could afford necessities .”
Elijah Pemberton , also a junior , said he already has a job and pays for some things , but he is learning about other bills he ’ ll face in the future .
“ This teaches you how to manage money and it prepares you for the real world ,” Elijah said .
SECU mortgage officer Ingland Ashe said the program really resonates with students , especially when they realize the financial choices their parents must make .
“ One told me that they don ’ t ask their parents for things like they used to ,” Ashe said . “ They still ask but they ask sparingly . Now they know the value of a dollar .”
8 • January / February 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine