On May 6, Guilford County residents approved $457 million in school bonds. The package contains 27 projects, which include five new schools and 6,571 new student seats. Thirteen schools will receive major renovations and additions. Projects included in the bond are prioritized with 93.5 percent of the request relieving overcrowding, 3.5 percent targeting repairs and renovations and 3 percent improving heating and air conditioning systems district wide.

GCS received great news on Jan. 13, 2009. Guilford County notified the district that it sold $130 million in school bonds. This figure includes $45 million for Eastern Guilford High School. The sale of these bonds means the district will be able to move forward on many key capital improvement projects.

With the sale of these bonds, 2009 will be a busy year for facilities staff. GCS will proceed with projects already under construction, and also continue land acquisition efforts for this year. In addition, GCS will move forward with the design of various projects. GCS plans to adhere to the Guilford County Board of Education’s priority list, and move forward with other projects once land acquisition/design/permitting is concluded.

The board did approve a decrease in the amount of our projected cash flow needs as requested by the county. However, GCS is not stopping projects, but just not moving as aggressively as the district otherwise could.