Several projects funded by school bonds approved by Guilford County voters in 2008 are on track to wrap up by the end of the year. The vast majority of bond projects came in on time and under budget, allowing the board to reallocate millions of dollars to new projects across the district.

At the Dec. 18 board meeting, Guilford County Schools staff reported replacement and renovation projects at Ragsdale High School and the Rock Gym at Allen Jay Middle School should be completed by the end of the year. The Rock Gym HVAC renovation at Summerfield Elementary School is scheduled to wrap up next month. Those are all projects funded and approved by voters in 2008.

The board was also updated on 9 priority projects in the district, which are being paid for by money saved by the bond construction projects. Priority projects nearing the end of the design development phase include Bluford Elementary’ s renovations and upgrades, additions and renovations at High Point Central High, Northwest High’s road and parking lot improvements, Northwood Elementary’ s kitchen expansion and Western High Athletics improvements and renovations.

Other projects currently in design phases include traffic improvements at Dudley High, Guilford Middle school replacement, Hunter Elementary school replacement and Smith High School Athletics improvements.

Once the design phase is complete, the district will meet with Guilford County leaders to ask county commissioners to approve funds for construction. So far, county commissioners have only approved money for design, Construction Manager at Risk pre-construction services and design phase engineering service work on certain projects. The district can’t take any further action until additional funds are approved by the county.

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. Guilford County Schools selects construction and repair projects by priority, however the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has to approve projects paid for by bond money before work can begin.