Guilford (N.C.) district is moving forward with $300 million in facility updates
The Guilford County (N.C.) district is moving forward with $300 million in school construction and renovation projects.
The district, North Carolina's third largest, won voter approval last year of a $300 million bond issue to carry out the first phase of improvements.
The facility needs were spelled out in a $2 billion master facilities plan, approved by the school board in 2019 that calls for rebuilding 22 schools on existing sites and renovating 19 other schools.
To oversee the district's construction program, the school board has hired Michelle Reed, the chief operating officer of the operations business unit for the city of Seattle,. She will join the district in August.
Phase one of the facilities plan prioritizes campuses in the worst condition.
The plan focuses on six priorities for schools:
- Full renovations and rebuilding of facilities in the worst condition
- New construction for residential growth and economic development
- Invest in technology
- Invest in safe schools
- Focus on innovated choices
- Educational adequacy enhancements to improve the teaching and learning environment at all schools
The district also plans to construct seven new campuses and create additions at three existing schools to alleviate crowding and accommodate student enrollment growth. The plan recommends closing 13 school buildings and 11 administrative facilities. Major repairs are prioritized for 56 schools.
The plan also would eliminate all mobile classrooms, some of which date to the 1970s. The district has more than 500 mobile or temporary classrooms in use. The district’s oldest building is Swann Middle, which opened in 1922. The district’s newest school is Western Guilford Middle, which was built in 2018.
HICAPS/C2, is the project management firm.
