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HARRISBURG AREA LAND USE PLAN Education Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) is responsible for public education in Cabarrus County. It is one of the largest districts in North Carolina and has a goal of becoming a top- ten - performing district in the state. In any growing community, maintaining a high - quality public school system is always among the primary challenges community leaders must face. Attracting qualified faculty members, addressing capacity issues as student population grows and maintaining existing facilities to ensure superior learning environments are among the many issues that CCS must deal with on a regular basis to meet the expectations of the citizens. In addition, a quality public school system is critical to economic development. Employers seek communities that offer a high quality of life for their employees, and good schools is one factor that weighs heavily in location decisions. To keep pace with growth, CCS has been expanding and building schools to implement its strategic plan. Harrisburg Elementary, Hickory Ridge Middle, and Hickory Ridge High schools are the three CCS facilities located in the planning area. CC Griffin Middle School, Rocky River Elementary School, and Pitts School Road Elementary School stand just outside the planning area. According to CCS representatives, these schools, relative to other CCS schools, are in good condition, have good quality classrooms and are well equipped with (W technology. However, the Draft 15 -Year Facility Plan indicates that Harrisburg Elementary is at capacity (102% utilization) and Hickory Ridge High School is almost at capacity (94 % utilization). Hickory Ridge Middle School is expected to be completed in 2010. The draft plan calls for an elementary school in the planning area south of Harrisburg, which will alleviate some of the overcrowding at existing elementary schools. CCS aims to acquire land for the school (25 acres) in 2010. Also located in the planning area along Hickory Ridge Road is the Carolina International School (CIS). A public charter school emphasizing an international perspective and environmental awareness, CIS opened in September 2004. It currently offers grades K -10 and has an enrollment of less than 500 students. Public Safety a. Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office Police services for the town are provided by the Sheriff's Office of Cabarrus County. The Sherriff's Office funds eight positions, while the County funds two. Providing this service in the Harrisburg area is challenging, as a poorly connected road network affects response times. Officers working in this area reported that traffic violations are more of an issue than crime. However, theft is a problem for area businesses. Lying at the edge of the county, the western portion of Harrisburg area is a target for robberies. Proximity to I -485 allows criminals to flee rapidly from Cabarrus County and into Mecklenburg County, where the Sherriff's office's does not have jurisdiction. Additional officers are needed to improve service. PART II: EXISTING CONDITIONS AUGUST 010 Attac ment number 1 G -1 Page 344