Frequently-Asked Questions

How does GCS plan to spend the $300 million bond passed by Guilford County voters in November 2020?
The district will focus its efforts on the schools with greatest need during the first phase of bond construction as well as on land purchases.

The projects selected for this phase are:
- Hampton-Peeler Elementary, which will be rebuilt at the Peeler site as a county-wide and neighborhood performing arts magnet
- Archer Elementary, which will close as a neighborhood school and will be fully renovated as a Montessori magnet, replacing Erwin Montessori
- Peck Elementary, which will be rebuilt as a regional K-8 expeditionary learning magnet
- Foust Elementary, which will be rebuilt on site
- Brooks Global Studies, which will be rebuilt at the old Craven School site, near the Greensboro Arboretum
- A new K-8 school in the southwest area, which will include a STEM center for regional use
- Claxton Elementary, which will be rebuilt on site
- Kiser Middle, which will be rebuilt on the Grimsley/Kiser campus
How did GCS identify these projects?

The district’s comprehensive facilities master plan identifies more than $2.6 billion in work that is needed across the district.

The plan used data from a school-by-school facility study conducted by an outside firm to rank schools based on the overall condition of the facility, educational suitability for 21^st century learning, technology infrastructure and site, including age of facility infrastructure, quantity and size of appropriate academic and support spaces, and space utilization compared to short- and long-term student enrollment projections.

The district is going through the list in order of need, from worst to best. Ultimately, all facilities will be touched as more funding becomes available. The $300 million bond is just the first step.
When will the work begin?
Will my student stay in his/her school during construction?
When will the work be completed?
How can I get updates on the progress?
What does it mean for my child if his/her home school is rebuilt as a magnet school?

The goal of the bond is to provide students and families with high-quality options for every child’s education by adapting to the needs of today’s students. Unfortunately, that goal cannot be attained without some inconveniences.

GCS is making every effort to keep those inconveniences at a minimum, and we will share updated information with impacted school communities as it becomes available.
My child’s school needs a lot of repairs, too. Why isn’t it on the list?

We have more facility-related needs than we have money to spend.

The facility condition assessment found 45 percent of GCS’ facilities are in poor or unsatisfactory condition with outdated systems for heating and cooling, electrical and wiring, plumbing, technology and other critical infrastructure needs.

The average GCS school was built more than 50 years ago, and classroom instruction has changed drastically since then, meaning most GCS facilities don’t meet the needs of today’s students and their teachers.

While the $300 million bond can’t address all of the work identified in the plan, it represents an important first step in the process with work beginning in the schools with the greatest need.
How can I find out where my child’s school falls on the priority list?
Why are our schools in such poor physical condition?

Most schools in Guilford County and across the U.S. were built quickly and cheaply to house the Baby Boom generation. Those schools are now aging out of service, and in most cases, the cost of renovations and repairs exceed the cost of new construction.

Chronic underfunding of school facilities and the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that keeps schools running is also to blame. School maintenance budgets have not kept up with student growth, leaving a 30-year-plus backlog of issues. See how the 2008 bonds were spent.

In fact, Sharon L. Contreras, PhD, testified before a Congressional committee regarding the nation’s crumbling public school infrastructure. Review her remarks.

In addition, while voters approved school bonds in 2003 and 2008 that were used to upgrade facilities and build new schools, there wasn’t enough money to upgrade or touch every school. Most schools on the list were only partially repaired due to limited funds.
What about the lottery? Doesn’t the state provide funding for school capital needs?

Yes, the state provides some limited assistance for school capital needs through its Public Building Capital Fund (PSBCF) via proceeds from the North Carolina Education Lottery. Those dollars go to Guilford County not GCS, however.

In FY 2020-21, for example, Guilford County was awarded only $4.75 million from this fund, which was allocated to cover debt service expenses for prior school bonds in order to lower property taxes three times during the past 10 years. GCS does not receive any funding directly from the lottery.
Is this issue unique to GCS?
What about preventative maintenance?
What happens once this phase is complete?

While this first $300 million dollar bond is an important first step in meeting the needs of our students, there will still be a lot of work left to do.

GCS remains committed to the priorities established in the facilities master plan.

We will continue to work with the community and Board of County Commissioners to secure funding and support to improve our facilities to better serve our students.
Where can I ask a question or submit feedback on Bond 2020?