The Guilford County (N.C.) School Board wants county commissioners to put a $1.6 billion school construction bond proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The Greensboro News & Record reports that the bonds would provide money for rebuilding, replacing or fully renovating 38 schools and building three new schools. Some schools would be closed and others would be reconfigured.
The bonds are intended to cover the first of two phases of school construction projects.
Board members hope that county commissioners would, at a later point, hold a second bond referendum to seek voter approval of roughly $1 billion to complete the full list of capital projects the school system has identified
Board member Pat Tillman says he believes the county should try to take care of as much of the need for school construction as it could in one bond. Among other reasons, he pointed out that interest rates to borrow money are at “rock bottom."
“While it is bold and visionary, it is what’s needed," Tillman says.
Board member Linda Welborn, who voted against the proposal, had several concerns. She says the amount is too high and that, based on her research, the district is not likely to get all of the projects done within seven years.
She also says there hasn’t been sufficient notice and opportunity for people to weigh in on the resolution and what would happen to their area schools in the plan.
The resolution now goes to the county commissioners, who will decide whether or not to put a bond referendum on the November ballot.
