INSIDE ▼ Basketball teams qualify for state playoffs PAGE 4A Friday, February 28, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 9
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Matthews leaders decide on stormwater fee increase By Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town commissioners have decided to raise stormwater fees for fiscal year 2026 just enough to cover an expected shortfall.
The town increased stormwater fees for the first time in fiscal year 2017. Public Works Director C.J. O’Neill said that was expected to be a five-year fix. O’Neill said another increase was necessary because estimated revenues of $926,388 wouldn’t be enough to cover $1.3
million in expenses. In addition to a base rate increase to cover the shortfall, staff offered commissioners options that would enhance the stormwater system with preventative upgrades, including an emergency fund to take over stormwater control measures
for neighborhoods in the event of system failures, a two-person crew to maintain ditches and a three-person survey/GIS crew to map out the stormwater system. Commissioners opted Feb. 24 for the simple base rate increase and did not want to commit to im-
provements at this time. Here is how monthly stormwater fees will be affected come July 2025: • Tier 1 (Under 2,000 square feet Story continues, see STORMWATER page 3A
Discovery Place envisions Matthews location MATTHEWS – Discovery Place plans to open a Discovery Place Kids museum in Matthews.
Under a newly established development and management agreement, the Town of Matthews will provide building space and Discovery Place will oversee the upfitting and operation of the museum. Commissioners approved the agreement Feb. 24 during their meeting. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” Mayor John Higdon said. “Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many
Discovery Place is known for interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning. This is a photo from a Fantastic Frogs exhibit five years ago at Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte.
The addition of a Matthews location of Discovery Place Kids will provide local families with greater access to high-quality educational opportunities. Photos courtesy of Discovery Place
ways they will enrich our community.” Catherine Horne, president and CEO of Discovery Place, said the organization is thrilled to partner with the town. “This museum will be a hub of imagination, creativity and hands-on learning, designed to inspire young
minds and bring families together,” Horne said. “More than just a destination, it will be a valuable community resource where children can explore science in a fun and engaging way.” The building space will be funded through the town’s tourism fund and is expected to be available within the
next five years. The location has not yet been determined. The town expects to finalize the details in the coming months. "Discovery Place KidsMatthews will be built with the community, for the community,” said Nikole Hill, chief learning officer at Discovery Place. “From
interactive exhibits to dynamic STEM programs, every aspect of the museum will reflect the voices and needs of Matthews families. This spring, we’re excited to launch a series of community input sessions to hear directly from residents and shape a museum experience that truly belongs to Matthews."
CMS SCHOOL BOARD SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT CUTS TO LAWMAKERS CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education sent a letter to U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, Tim Moore and Mark Harris asking them to maintain Medicaid benefits and school meals for all students who attend Community Eligibility Provision schools.
The timing of the letter follows President Donald Trump’s voiced support of the House Budget proposal. CMS says the proposal would reduce funding for both programs and leave thousands of students with unmet health and academic resources. If the House Budget passes as currently drafted, CMS says more than 17,000 students with disabilities will lose Medicaid funding to provide the services they are entitled to receive. Another 40,000 students from 100 schools in CMS will face the possibility of losing access to the free and reduced school nutrition program. “When identifying needs where there are gaps for our children in our county and all of North Carolina, food and specialized academic resources are two main areas that can make a difference in student success,” said Summer Nunn, chair of the school board’s intergovernmental relationships committee. “A child does not learn well or feel safe if they are hungry and this funding guarantees they get at least one good meal a day leading to stronger school performance. A child with special academic needs can thrive in a proper environment through accommodations that may be hindered without the right support of their disabilities and learning differences.”
School board chair Stephanie Sneed explained the effects of cutting school meals. “Even though some students will remain eligible, the proposed reductions in the school nutrition program would create additional barriers to access free and reduced meals,” Sneed said. “Priorities must be made to ensure that optimal learning conditions are in place and not force families to choose between paying for school lunches or electricity.” Below is the letter school board leaders sent to Mecklenburg County representatives in the U.S. House: Members of the Mecklenburg Delegation to the United States House of Representatives, Rep. Alma Adams Rep. Tim Moore Rep. Mark Harris The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (CMS) writes to you today to express our deep concerns regarding the proposed cuts in the House Concurrent Resolution budget (CR) currently moving through the legislative process. Providing a high-quality public education to all children is our mission. To achieve that mission, we need to ensure that children have access to all the resources they need to excel, not only for themselves, but for their families, and future generations of well-educated citizens. As currently drafted, this CR requires a minimum of 10% or $860 billion to be cut from the Medicaid program over the next decade. It
further proposes a significant reduction in school nutrition funding, including a dramatic change to the eligibility formula in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as part of the mandated $330 billion cuts in the Education and Workplace budget. The proposed cuts to Medicaid will impact more than 17,000 students in your district who will lose approximately $16 million in funding. These much-needed funds provide critical services for students with disabilities as part of their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans. These proposed cuts include services for 3,000 students with critical and advanced needs and the 800 educators who support them. The proposed cuts in funding for school nutrition and changes to the Community Eligibility Provision eligibility formula will harm those families who can least afford it. More than 40,000 CMS students in more than 100 schools face the possibility of being removed from the CEP program altogether. These cuts will impact students across the state and will most impact those families in your district that can least afford to face these increased costs. We are committed to providing every student with the tools they need to succeed, but we need your help to fight cuts that would leave many of our students with insurmountable challenges. We are committed to ensuring students receive the educational services they are entitled to under their IEPs or 504 plans. We are committed to ensuring every student has the necessary school nutrition to succeed in the classroom.
We know you share this commitment and will work with us to protect and strengthen these programs, as well as other future programs, that are so important to the students and parents in CMS and all schools in North Carolina. Public education is the foundation of a successful future for our community, state, and country. Citizens count and rely on a strong, well-resourced public school system. Thank you for your attention to the important issues that will help us continue to deliver a strong public education to all students. Sincerely, Stephanie Sneed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Board Chair Summer Nunn Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Chair of the Intergovernmental Relationships Committee Cc: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Sen. Thom Tillis Sen. Ted Budd Rep. Don Davis Rep. Deborah Ross Rep. Greg Murphy Rep. Valerie Foushee Rep. Virigina Foxx Rep. Addison McDowell Rep. David Rouzer Rep. Richard Hudson Rep. Pat Harrigan Rep. Chuck Edwards Rep. Brad Knott
MORE ON DISCOVERY PLACE Discovery Place’s network includes four distinct museum experiences – Discovery Place Science, Charlotte Museum of Nature (opening in 2026), Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville and Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham. On the web: discoveryplace.org
Habitat breaks ground on second duplex project By Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a duplex project Feb. 22 that will enhance the lives of two families.
President and CEO Natisha Rivera-Patrick said the duplex on Crestdale Road represents the 119th and 120th homes to be developed by Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity. This will be the second duplex the nonprofit has built. “The dream of homeownership – the cornerstone of stability and economic opportunity – has become increasingly out of reach for so many,” Rivera-Patrick said. “But at Habitat, we believe that everyone deserves a decent place to live.” Rivera-Patrick said the groundbreaking allows the nonprofit to turn over the lot to homeowners so that they Story continues, see HABITAT page 3A