The Guilford County Board of Commissioners broke out into an all out verbal war before the board voted to approve a motion to start the process to place a school bond referendum of up to $300 million on the ballot in November.
The highly uncomfortable discussion at the Thursday, May 21 meeting included Commission Skip Alston hurling strong personal insults at Republican commissioners, and, though the commissioners never reached the level of shouting at one another, it was as brutal an argument as the commissioners have had in years.
The agenda item that started the war was a request by the Guilford County Board of Education for the Board of Commissioners to put a $1.6 billion bond referendum on the November ballot. The five Republican county commissioners – a majority of the nine-member board – had clearly decided before the meeting that the board would approve a maximum bond amount of $300 million.
Before the motion was approved on a 6-to-3 vote, Alston led the charge against the Republicans. Alston had hoped the board would approve a bond referendum for a maximum of $1.6 billion – or, in truth, at least $800 million or $900 million.
Commissioner Alan Branson made the motion for $300 million, which set off Alston who called the motion a total insult to the school system and the students it serves.
“Shame on you,” Alston said, adding that it the motion showed Branson “didn’t give a damn” about the county’s school children.
Alston added that the motion had been seconded, so clearly the Republicans had reached that agreement since they always act in unison and never broke ranks. He also said he couldn’t believe the Republicans were supporting the motion “with a straight face.”
Democratic Commissioner Carolyn Coleman, attending the meeting by phone, also said the Republicans supporting the motion should be ashamed of themselves.
Even Democratic Commissioner Kay Cashion – the only Democratic commissioner to vote in favor of the motion – said it was not enough but added that she was voting yes because something was better than nothing for the schools.
Republicans tore into Alston after he finished and Conrad brought up the fact when Alston was chairman over a decade ago, he had led a move to cut capital funding for the the schools.
At the May 21 meeting, Republicans pointed out that the that $300 million is a lot of money that can fund many school needs, and the board can always come back in the future after that money is spent and raise more funds.
What the insult is this group keeps handling out taxpayers money to the school system and they waste it on unneeded salaries for people who have nothing to do with the day to day operations of the schools. Case in point 10 million for quote on quote “school security “ with no strings attached what happened to that what’s the money going to be used for. I ask that same question several months ago and got no answer for two of this group. They both acted like they knew better on how to spend my money. It’s time to hold this group along with the school system accountable and stop the waste!
Hold them accountable at the ballot box. That’s the only way I know of, other than to stop sending them money. Any suggestions on that?
Poor Skip hasn’t changed. If you can’t state your position clearly and cogently then simply attack the people you disagree with.
Skip will never change. And that’s not good for Guilford County.
It’s a shame that no one has considered the influx of jobs this facilities proposal would create, the long-range economic boost to our local economy, or of what the children of Guilford Country are truly deserving. When will this county start to invest in itself and our young people? I’m truly disappointed….unfortunately, not surprised, but disappointed none the less.
$1.6 BILLION dollars? That’s the kind of figure spendthrift Nancy Pelosi would be proud of! Do Alston and his cohorts realize or understand the economic climate we are in thanks to vast segments of our economy having been closed for over two months? From where and whom do they think the money is going to come? The schools have been closed thanks to the governor’s edict – why haven’t they taken the savings in operating expenses and put them toward these capital improvements? Better still, why not restructure the bloated administration so more of that money could be used, as they are fond of saying, “for the children”? Attention Skip, Carolyn and the others who are forever crying, “more, more, more” for the schools: our pockets are already empty. Learn to better use what you have already taken from us. We’re having to cut back and make do; you should try it, too. $300 million isn’t exactly chicken feed.
Not need to brawl. I’m voting “NO” regardless.
This is off the topic of the commissioner s meeting, but was just curious, as to whether ” SMOOTHFEST ” will ever resume back ? I really enjoyed it when it was going on.☺
It’s not likely.
It never ceases when the Dems are in charge they are willing to give everything away because it’s not theirs anyway .Skip needs a comeuppance to understand how grown people run a meeting and spoiled children need to be seen and not heard.He is probably the biggest crybaby in Greensboro politics TODAY. Has the $10 million the school board had a year or so been spent as yet. Or are they still sitting on it? Go Republicans and stand your ground.I hope the people of Guilford County will vote out the Dems on this board except Cashion and see what it’s like to have a Great commissioner board would look like.
Thank you Commissioners. To give a blanket 1.6 billion dollars to the current school board and administration would be a disaster of huge portions. I have repeatedly stated that the schools system has to perform in order to continue to deserve such large amounts of tax dollars. In the past, no matter what the amount the were given, it was never enough and yet the over all performance of the students does not improve. Each time we approve a bond, certain goals must be set and met before additional funds are allocated.
Why would anyone believe that services provided by a virtual monopoly, run by politicians, and funded by wealth confiscated from the labor of peaceful citizens would give us results less disastrous than our government school system?
Churches, temples and mosques are everywhere, countless varieties, in all neighborhoods, funded by voluntary donations by people who find value in them. There is no central planning, no regulation, no bureaucracy. It demonstrates the magic of spontaneous order and voluntary transactions.
The idea that violence and theft are necessary to collect the funds to run schools; and bureaucrats to oversee them is as reprehensible as it is dishonest.
Can you imagine the innovation and progress that could be discovered in a purely free market of different educational models?