Key facts to mention in any contact
- The district's own evaluation flagged this property — the "Hutchins Property" — for "challenging topography that renders a large portion unusable." They listed this as a reason to reject the site. Then they bought it anyway.
- The purchase price was $1.6 million — never publicly disclosed until residents demanded it.
- The road must be completely rebuilt — but road design doesn't start until May and construction starts August 24.
- The Traffic Impact Analysis is not yet complete. Final road requirements aren't known until end of April.
- There is a stream and wetlands on the property requiring infrastructure — no environmental permits have been publicly disclosed.
- The district's own first-choice site — the Morrison Property on Shiloh Church Road — was passed over mainly on cost, despite being described as ideal for development.
Cabarrus County Board of Education
Rob Walter, Board Chair — primary decision-maker on the school project
Brian C. Cone, Project Director — Executive Director of Capital Planning
Brian C. Cone, Project Director — Executive Director of Capital Planning
Opening — identify yourself
"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a resident of [YOUR STREET / NEIGHBORHOOD] in northwest Cabarrus County. I'm calling to express my concern about the proposed elementary school site at 11151 Sudbury Road, and to ask that the Board pause further commitment of funds until several outstanding questions are answered."
State your concerns
"I attended — or have reviewed — the March 17 community presentation. I was troubled to learn that the district's own site evaluation identified this property as having challenging topography that renders a large portion unusable. That was listed as a reason to reject the site. The district purchased it anyway for $1.6 million without disclosing the price to the public.
On top of that, the Traffic Impact Analysis only started in February and won't be complete until April — just four months before construction is scheduled to begin. The road must be completely rebuilt, and that design work doesn't start until May. There is also a stream and wetlands on the property requiring infrastructure that hasn't been publicly accounted for in the budget."
On top of that, the Traffic Impact Analysis only started in February and won't be complete until April — just four months before construction is scheduled to begin. The road must be completely rebuilt, and that design work doesn't start until May. There is also a stream and wetlands on the property requiring infrastructure that hasn't been publicly accounted for in the budget."
Make your ask
"I'm asking the Board to pause this project and conduct a transparent comparison of this site against alternatives — particularly the Morrison Property on Shiloh Church Road, which the district's own notes describe as their first choice. At minimum, I'd ask that no further funds be committed until the Traffic Impact Analysis is complete, all environmental permits are filed, and a full itemized budget including road reconstruction is made public. These children deserve a school that is safe, well-planned, and honestly budgeted."
If they push back — key points to hold to
- The district's own March 17, 2026 presentation is the source for all of these facts — this isn't speculation or hearsay
- The Morrison Property on Shiloh Church Road was their stated first choice — flat, suitable topography, water available
- $1.6 million was paid for a site their own team flagged as largely unusable — that contradiction needs a public explanation
- Road design doesn't start until May, construction starts August 24 — that sequencing is not safe
Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners
Approved construction funding — can request a full budget review before the LGC approves state financing
Opening
"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a Cabarrus County taxpayer living in the northwest part of the county. I'm calling about the proposed elementary school at 11151 Sudbury Road. I understand the Commissioners have approved funding for this project, and I'd like to ask that you request a full budget review before state financing is approved."
The budget concern
"The publicly stated budget is $50.6 million. But at the March 17 community meeting, district staff acknowledged that Sudbury Road must be completely rebuilt, and that infrastructure must be installed to protect a stream and wetlands on the property. Neither of those costs appears to be included in the $50.6 million figure you approved. The land purchase price of $1.6 million was also never publicly disclosed — and the district's own site evaluation flagged this property's topography as a reason not to buy it.
I'm asking the Commissioners to request a fully itemized budget from CCS — one that includes road reconstruction, environmental mitigation, and all site infrastructure — before the NC Local Government Commission approves state financing."
I'm asking the Commissioners to request a fully itemized budget from CCS — one that includes road reconstruction, environmental mitigation, and all site infrastructure — before the NC Local Government Commission approves state financing."
Key points
- Commissioners control the purse — they can ask CCS for a complete budget before LGC approval is granted
- Road rebuild and stream infrastructure are confirmed costs that were not in the original budget presented to them
- The LGC's job is to verify the budget is realistic — but only if the full costs are disclosed upfront
NC Local Government Commission
Must approve state financing — the last gate before construction is locked in. Chaired by NC State Treasurer Brad Briner.
Written comment — submit via nctreasurer.gov before the LGC meeting
"I am a resident and taxpayer in Cabarrus County writing to ask the Local Government Commission to carefully scrutinize the financing application for the proposed Northwest Area Elementary School at 11151 Sudbury Road before granting approval.
The LGC's mandate is to confirm that the budget is adequate and realistic for the proposed project. I do not believe the current $50.6 million figure meets that standard. At the March 17, 2026 community presentation, district staff acknowledged that Sudbury Road must be completely rebuilt to serve the school, and that infrastructure must be installed to protect a stream and wetlands on the property. Neither cost appears to be included in the stated budget. The land purchase price of $1.6 million was never publicly disclosed. The Traffic Impact Analysis is not yet complete, meaning road improvement costs are still unknown.
I respectfully ask the Commission to require Cabarrus County Schools to submit a fully itemized budget — including road reconstruction, environmental mitigation, and all site infrastructure — before financing is approved."
The LGC's mandate is to confirm that the budget is adequate and realistic for the proposed project. I do not believe the current $50.6 million figure meets that standard. At the March 17, 2026 community presentation, district staff acknowledged that Sudbury Road must be completely rebuilt to serve the school, and that infrastructure must be installed to protect a stream and wetlands on the property. Neither cost appears to be included in the stated budget. The land purchase price of $1.6 million was never publicly disclosed. The Traffic Impact Analysis is not yet complete, meaning road improvement costs are still unknown.
I respectfully ask the Commission to require Cabarrus County Schools to submit a fully itemized budget — including road reconstruction, environmental mitigation, and all site infrastructure — before financing is approved."
Key points
- The LGC's specific mandate is budget adequacy — this is directly within their jurisdiction to question
- Road costs are still unquantified — the TIA isn't done and road design hasn't started
- Written comments submitted before the meeting become part of the official public record
- The LGC has previously delayed or conditioned approvals when project budgets appeared incomplete
NCDOT Division 10 — District 1
Marc P. Morgan, PE, District Engineer — overseeing Sudbury Road TIA
Jason S. Faulkner — Assistant District Engineer
Jason S. Faulkner — Assistant District Engineer
Email inquiry — ask about TIA status
"My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a resident of the Sudbury Road area in Cabarrus County. I am writing to ask about the status of the Traffic Impact Analysis currently underway for the proposed elementary school at 11151 Sudbury Road.
I understand from the March 17 CCS community presentation that NCDOT is working with HNTB to complete this TIA, with a draft due end of March and final determination on road improvements by end of April. I also understand NCDOT's District Office is evaluating a complete rebuild of Sudbury Road from Davidson Road east to Highway 3.
As a nearby resident, I would appreciate any information you can share on the status of the TIA, the anticipated scope of road improvements, and the expected timeline for those improvements to be completed relative to the school's August 2026 construction start."
I understand from the March 17 CCS community presentation that NCDOT is working with HNTB to complete this TIA, with a draft due end of March and final determination on road improvements by end of April. I also understand NCDOT's District Office is evaluating a complete rebuild of Sudbury Road from Davidson Road east to Highway 3.
As a nearby resident, I would appreciate any information you can share on the status of the TIA, the anticipated scope of road improvements, and the expected timeline for those improvements to be completed relative to the school's August 2026 construction start."
Why this matters
- A written response from NCDOT confirming the road rebuild scope is a citable public record
- If NCDOT confirms road improvement costs, that information strengthens the case to the LGC
- Any delay in NCDOT approval could push back the construction timeline — relevant to the LGC's schedule review
Tips for Effective Contact
You don't need to read the script word for word. Speak naturally — your own words carry more weight than a recited statement.
Stay calm and factual. You're asking questions, not attacking anyone. The facts speak for themselves.
If you get voicemail, leave a message. A voicemail still counts as a constituent contact on the official tally.
Follow up a phone call with a brief email. Having it in writing creates a paper trail they must respond to.
Mention that you are a taxpayer and voter — this is the language elected officials respond to most.
If a neighbor shares your concerns, encourage them to call separately. Volume of contacts matters significantly.
Reference the March 17, 2026 CCS community presentation as your source — these are their own slides.
After contacting officials, let us know at SudburyCitizens@gmail.com — we're tracking responses.