Construction is expected to begin on six Guilford County School (GCS) priority projects late this summer and into the start of the 2015-16 school year.

The GCS Board of Education received an update on construction projects at its meeting Thursday night. In March, county commissioners approved allocating $60 million to start work on renovations and expansions at Northwood Elementary and High Point Central High, new traffic patterns at Dudley and Northwest High, renovations and upgrades at Bluford Elementary and a replacement school for Hunter Elementary. Staff reported that they will be advertising for bids on those projects over the next few months and then start construction.

Commissioners voted not to release money needed to start construction on the remaining three priority projects at Western High, Smith High and Guilford Middle until the summer of 2016.

The nine priority projects are being paid for by money saved on earlier 2008 bond construction projects and redirected funds from the Airport Area High School project.

In 2008, Guilford County voters approved $457 million in school construction bonds. To date, more than $350 million has been spent or is currently under contract.

The board was also updated on original 2008 bond projects. All but two of those projects are complete. Work on HVAC renovations at Ragsdale is almost complete and at Southeast High, construction crews are in the process of putting up the new field house, baseball and softball concession stands and a new performing arts building.