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GCS Special Edition Construction Update


What you should know about the 2008 school bond:

 

Opportunity

  • On May 6, Guilford County residents will have a chance to vote on $457 million in school bonds targeted toward constructing new schools, conducting renovations and additions and building new facilities for special needs students.

The Need

  • Guilford County Schools (GCS) currently has more than 600 mobile classrooms to compensate for more than 9,000 students who have entered the district since 2000. This is the equivalent of 14 elementary schools.
  • More than two-thirds of the county’s schools are more than 30 years old and many of them are in need of major renovations.

Overcrowding

  • GCS is the third largest school district in North Carolina with more than 71,000 students at 120 schools.
  • Historically, the district has added between 1,200 and 1,500 students on average each year.  That’s equivalent to one new high school every year.
  • The district is expected to add more than 7,400 students by 2017-18, or an average of almost 700 students per year.

Recommended Projects

  • $203 million to construct new schools. This includes two elementary schools, two high schools, one middle school and land for an additional middle school.
  • $220 million in renovation and addition projects, including heating and air conditioning renovations at 21 schools, major renovations and additions at 13 schools and improvements to athletic facilities at nine schools.
  • $34 million for four new facilities for special needs students.

The Cost

  • In the year 2012 (when the maximum property tax impact will likely occur), Guilford County officials estimate that the school bonds will increase the property tax rate by approximately 8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

 

 

 

Q&A Regarding Bond

 

The vote for the 2008 school bonds is quickly approaching, so we sat down with Leo Bobadilla, chief operations officer, to help answer some of your questions about school bonds, how they are used and school construction needs. Don’t forget to vote on May 6, 2008.

 

GCS: Can you tell us a little bit about the bonds?
LB:     Guilford County residents will have an opportunity to vote on $457 million in school construction bonds on May 6. The bond package contains $203 million for new schools, $220 million for renovations and additions and approximately $34 million for special needs facilities. 

 

GCS: Why Are Funds For School Construction Needed?
LB:     To meet overcrowding needs that exist today, continued growth in our school district and to address aging facilities. Since 2000, the district has grown by more than 9,000 students to a current enrollment of 71,396 students. We need to build new schools to accommodate this growth explosion and repair our older schools. The $457 million bond proposal, which includes inflation, represents only a portion of our urgent construction needs. The bond amount represents approximately half of the immediate needs identified in September 2006 in the amount of $812 million.

 

GCS: How Were The Projects Chosen?
LB:     GCS staff used a formula to rank school building and renovation projects in order of need. The Guilford County Board of Education used the calculation as a starting point to prioritize $457 million in new school construction and renovation projects. This issue was on the board agenda at more than 20 meetings for discussion before the final bond list of projects was decided and approved.

 

To view the entire project list, visit: http://www.gcsnc.com/construction.

 

GCS: Which schools will be affected with this bond?
LB:     The bond package contains 27 projects, which include five new schools and more than 6,500 new student seats. Thirteen schools will receive major renovations and additions. New facilities are planned for special needs students. Twenty-one schools will receive improvements to heating and cooling systems.  Various schools will also receive improvements to athletic facilities. 

 

GCS: I don’t have children. Why should I be concerned about new school projects and renovations?
LB:    Quality schools and graduating responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice are critical to everyone in our community. Housing values are determined primarily by the quality of local public schools. Good schools provide a well-educated workforce to attract and retain companies to the area, have a direct impact on increasing volunteerism and strengthening our community and allow us to attract new families who provide the vitality and energy for our future.


GCS: Why is spending money on athletic facilities necessary?
LB:     Our school needs are both inside the school and outside. We are required to offer physical education as part of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. We want our students to have athletic facilities that are safe and usable. In addition, with the rise in childhood obesity over the last decade, our physical education and athletic facilities have become increasingly important to our children’s welfare.

 

GCS: If the bonds pass, what would the economic impact be on the local economy?
LB:    According to a recent study by Dr. Andrew Brod from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the economic impact of this bond would generate $657 million and create thousands of jobs. Dr. Brod has also stated that “When you think of the economy, projects like this are jobs programs. You are not just making work but you are building something…it’s building schools.” In the current economic state of things, these school projects will not only benefit our students, but the entire community as well.    

 



Maintenance Needs Across the District

 

Within Guilford County Schools (GCS), more than two-thirds of the schools are more than 30 years old. At the 30-year mark, facilities begin to need major renovations. Additionally, many GCS facilities need basic repairs to heating and ventilation systems, electrical systems, plumbing and sanitation systems.

 

Necessary renovations also include upgrades for science and technology needs that weren’t envisioned when schools were built decades ago. The district has aging facilities that need to be repaired and upgraded to keep students healthy and safe and to meet today’s educational standards.

 

If the school construction bonds are approved, more than $8 million will be provided to address improvements to existing HVAC systems, including boiler and chiller replacement, air conditioning of some areas, control systems and miscellaneous equipment upgrades.

 


 

In compliance with federal laws, Guilford County Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. Refer to the Board of Education's Discrimination Free Environment Policy AC for a complete statement. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Guilford County Schools Compliance Officer, 120 Franklin Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27401; 336.370.2323.