Bond Money Approved to Fund Maintenance Projects

Thirty Guilford County Schools (GCS) projects have received funding to pay for much-needed upgrades, thanks to recent action by the Board of County Commissioners in Guilford County.

At its Jan. 19 meeting, the board approved the transfer of funds remaining from the 2000 and 2003 school bonds in the amount of $6,272,856.81 to be used for a variety of purposes, including roof repairs, HVAC improvements and carpet replacements.

Also included are funds needed to modify Laughlin Primary to become a professional development center for GCS employees. Laughlin is currently unoccupied and was most recently used to serve a portion of students from Summerfield Elementary while that school was undergoing construction.

"After a nearly 30-year gap in major construction in our district, our schools have received a good deal of wear and tear," says Andrew LaRowe, GCS Chief Operating Officer. "The release of these funds allows us to maintain an environment that will give those students up-to-date facilities in which to learn and grow."

At its Nov. 22, 2011 meeting, the Board of Education authorized the transfer of funds for the following projects:

• Allen Jay Elementary, window replacement
• Andrews High, track replacement
• Archer Elementary, paving improvements
• Bluford STEM Academy, fence installation
• Doris Henderson Newcomers School, roof replacement
• Dudley High, main-drive paving/traffic study
• Foust Elementary, carpet replacement
• Gibsonville Elementary, demolition work
• High Point Central High, carpet replacement in media center
• Irving Park Elementary, accessibility/HVAC improvements
• Jackson Middle, covered walkway
• Laughlin Primary, professional development center
• Madison Elementary, chiller and boiler replacement
• McIver Education Center, roof repair
• McLeansville Elementary, retention of funds until 2008 bond project closes
• Northeast High, HVAC improvements
• Northeast Middle, HVAC improvements
• Northern Elementary, soil stabilization
• Northern High, sound attenuation
• Oak Hill Elementary, installation of a new fire alarm system
• Oak View Elementary, HVAC/flooring/playground work
• Parkview Elementary, flooring replacement
• Reedy Fork Elementary, structural waterproofing
• SCALE - Greensboro, roof replacement
• Smith High, paving of entrance
• Southern High, irrigation/sound upgrades/track replacement
• Sumner Elementary, boiler and carpet replacement
• Union Hill Elementary, security system installation
• Western High, track replacement
• Wiley Elementary, surveillance cameras