GCS Construction Update "Building Futures"

Guilford County Schools (GCS) is proud to welcome a new addition to the facilities department - Andy LaRowe. LaRowe tackles current and future bond projects as Executive Director of Facilities and Construction.
           

A native of Winston-Salem, LaRowe comes to GCS from an engineering and architectural firm in Delaware. LaRowe has more than 20 years of experience in planning, construction and operations of school facilities, which began when he worked with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in 1988.
          

LaRowe said the decision to come to GCS was an easy one. While it would take him back to back to his roots, he also was excited about the possibilities that a large district like GCS creates. “When I met with Leo Bobadilla, the Chief of Operations, I knew that some great things were about to happen with the facilities program in GCS,” LaRowe said. “Leo acknowledged that the system has come a long way with its building program.  We have a great staff and excellent potential to take the program to the next level.”
          

As the projects from the 2003 construction bond referendum come to a close, LaRowe is ready to step up to the plate for the 2008 construction bond referendum. “There is no question in my mind that the need for significant funding for construction of new schools and renovation is critical for GCS,” LaRowe explained. “I am concerned with the current number of mobile classrooms coupled with enrollment projections that indicate nearly 8,000 new students will join the system over the next 10 years. We also have an aging portfolio of buildings throughout the district. Overall, I do not believe we have received the level of capital funding necessary for renewal and replacement of critical building systems. Hopefully in the years going forward, we can reverse this trend and receive the funds necessary to maintain the investment we have made in our schools.” 
      

With the potential for so much growth in the district, LaRowe has big plans for GCS. “The ‘business’ of construction and facilities management can be greatly enhanced through the effective use of technology,” LaRowe said. “If we have accurate, reliable and useful information related to our school facilities and the community we serve, we can operate more efficiently and ultimately improve our service. If we can leverage technology to ensure that the information we need on a daily basis is always at our fingertips, we will establish a reputation of responsiveness and credibility. I would like for GCS facilities to set a standard of efficiency by which other school districts base their own performance.”

As he gets settled into his new position, LaRowe looks forward to gaining the confidence of the GCS students, parents, staff, leadership and surrounding community. Not only is he excited about building efficient and innovative schools and additions, but he has the knowledge and experience to create cutting edge learning atmospheres for our children.

 

 

 

 

Elementary School Updates

 

Construction at Northern Elementary progressed smoothly and quickly, and the school opened its doors to students on January 3. Located only a few miles from the new Northern Middle and Northern High Schools, the 87,000 square foot elementary school has a 740-student capacity campus. It is one of three new schools in the area built to accommodate the rapid population growth.

Parkview A+ Magnet Elementary wraps up construction in February on its classroom addition. Currently, all aluminum framing has been installed, and painting and floor finishes are complete. The ceiling grids are in, and sidewalks and final grading are in progress. When complete, the addition will feature a new administrative area, multi-purpose room and classroom wing that will house several of the magnet school’s arts programs.
With the new addition comes a new entrance on Gordon Street. While relocating an existing stream made the project labor-intensive, it also provided a great learning opportunity for students as they literally watched the project from start to finish. This addition represents the first major construction the school has seen in almost 50 years!

Grading on the new addition of Pleasant Garden Elementary is more than 85% complete, and construction of exterior block walls is underway. The new building will feature six classrooms, two resource rooms, a teacher workroom, kitchen, dining room, restrooms, storage and equipment rooms. The project also includes the installation of a sprinkler system.  

Students and staff have relocated to the former Allen Jay Middle while demolition and construction begins on a replacement school for Union Hill Elementary. In order to expedite the process, demolition and construction bid packages were broken out separately.

“With this replacement school, we are bridging the past to the future,” Principal Dean Lavere explained. “The original Union Hill Elementary was built in 1929, and with the amazing advancements made in the last 80 years, we greatly look forward to having a facility that will provide our students with a modern learning environment.”

 

Middle School Updates

 

Northern Middle Design Team Wins Sustainable Building Award

Based on the design of Northern Middle, Innovation Design, a Raleigh-based architectural firm, was awarded the Beyond Green 2007 High Performance Building Award from the Sustainable Building Industry Council. The firm won the national, juried award for designing the school using energy- and water-efficient elements. Inclusive of all the sustainable features, the building was constructed for $148 per square foot. The average middle school constructed in North Carolina during the same time period without these sustainable features cost approximately $154 per square foot.

 

The school features a comprehensive and well-integrated set of green strategies that include:

• A holistic water cycle approach that incorporates bioswales and wetlands and a highly conserving water system (rainwater flushes toilets, goes through a Living Machine™ to an underground irrigation system, and finally into the aquifer)
• A new daylighting design that had never been implemented before in any facility
• Energy-efficient building shell and under-floor air distribution system
• Indirect lighting with photocells and occupancy sensors
• Solar water heating and photovoltaic systems
• 3-D experiential learning centers linking sustainable design features to the curriculum
• Recycled materials and use of local products

To view the official release, click here.

 

High School Updates

 

On January 29, Northern High opened its doors to students. Using pre-cast panels, construction of the 285,000 square foot school went rapidly. Currently, grading around the school is nearly complete, and virtually all sidewalks have been installed. The school has a classroom capacity of 1,210 students and a core capacity of 1,600 students, which should support future growth on the campus at a later time. The school is especially unique because it showcases several green building features, which create a learning environment that is more environmentally responsible and healthy.

 

The Academy at Smith successfully opened the doors to its new campus on January 30, 2008. The school, which opened in August of 2006, has been currently housed on Smith High’s campus. As students, parents and staff explored the facility for the first time, excitement and enthusiasm filled the air. The new facility is located at 2225 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, N.C. Although not a 2003 bond project, it was a major construction initiative for the district.

 

The Academy at Smith features two pathways: Medical Careers and Construction Technology. The school provides relevance, rigor and much-needed relationships for students who are eager to distinguish themselves from the competition. Students complete core subject area classes and requirements for a high school diploma, but they may also earn dual credits during their senior year at GTCC.

Quick Facts

 

• Northern High, part of the 2003 bond referendum, is the district’s first new high school in 30 years.
  
  
• Prior to the 2000 bond referendum, the district had not undergone major construction in almost 20 years.
  
  
• In 2006, GCS bid three elementary schools, including one environmentally friendly school, at an average cost of $142.15 per square foot. The state average that year for 26 other elementary schools that were built was $144.21.
  
  
• The district received a Sustainable Energy Leadership Award for making an outstanding contribution in helping North Carolina achieve its energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability goals. GCS is the only school district in North Carolina to receive this award.
  
  
• Since the passage of the 2000 bond referendum, the district has grown by 9,365 students to a current enrollment of 71,396.
  
  
• During the next 10 years, Guilford County will see a significant need for additional classroom space.
  
  
• GCS currently has 622 mobile classrooms.
  
  
• The 2008 bond is $412,315,000 (not including Eastern Guilford High School), which includes:
  
  
  • Four new schools (not including Eastern Guilford High School)
  • Four new facilities for special needs students
  • Major renovations and additions in 13 schools
  • Athletic facility improvements at nine schools
  • Heating and air condition renovations at 21 schools

 

 

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.