School upgrade construction becoming reality

Paul B. Johnson, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·2 min read

Apr. 25—GUILFORD COUNTY — After years of hopes and dreams, progress is becoming visible with the first Guilford County Schools benefiting from a historic pair of bond issues approved by county voters.

Deputy Superintendent Julius Monk on Wednesday updated the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Guilford County Board of Education on several Greensboro schools where construction is advancing. Design work is progressing on the first High Point school that's part of the bond package, the new K-8 Katherine G. Johnson School for Science and Mathematics in southwestern Guilford County.

Monk said that $558 million in bond proceeds has been committed to date for various projects.

"Better buildings will lead to better learning atmospheres," Monk said, adding that the outcome should be students prepared for achievement.

Monk provided his update to the Joint Capital/Facilities Committee, which is made up of commissioners and school board members who meet periodically for updates on school bond projects. Guilford County voters approved $2 billion in bonds through separate referendum issues in November 2020 and May 2022, with the proceeds meant to transform school buildings for generations.

Commissioner Kay Cashion said that she hopes school construction will honor historical aspects of schools that remain important to parents and people in communities. Cashion told the committee that she's heard from parents concerned their input isn't being considered.

Guilford County Schools leaders pledged that they will respect the input of all stakeholders involved in a school project.

Guilford County Board of Commissioners Chairman Skip Alston asked his fellow commissioners and school board members if they want again to place a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot, a measure that voters have rejected four previous times. Alston said that county leaders would have to act by August to have a quarter-cent sales tax on the fall general election ballot.

Alston said that commissioners and school board members should brainstorm approaches for spending extra sales tax revenue that would appeal to a majority of voters.

The Joint Capital/Facilities Committee was formed six years ago at the urging of then-superintendent Sharon Contreras during the initial planning stages for the bond projects. The goal is to keep commissioners and school board members abreast of developments on Guilford County Schools construction issues.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul