$1.7 billion.
That’s how much money voters approved for Guilford County to borrow to fund the construction of new schools and the repair of old ones.
Once that money is borrowed, the county will have to pay off that amount plus an estimated $800 million in interest over the next two decades.
Late last year, when it became clear that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners was going to put a $1.7 billion school bond referendum on the ballot this year, some county commissioners said they thought it wouldn’t pass because of the massive size of the referendum during a pandemic and at a time of economic uncertainty. They said it would have been better for the schools to ask for $700 million or $800 million and come back for more when the schools ran out of that money.
But county voters clearly had no problem with the immense price tag. When the final results were tallied on Tuesday, May 17, 61 percent of those voters had approved the measure while only 39 percent voted no.
A high-ranking county official said on Tuesday that one saving grace is that the schools can only spend money so fast. Even though $1.7 billion has been approved, he said, it will take years and years for the money to actually be put to use because the past two decades have shown that Guilford County Schools can’t spend money at anywhere near the rate that the school board thinks it can.
For instance, Guilford County voters approved $300 million for the school system in a bond referendum two years ago and the schools have only spent a few million dollars of that money.
And, in May 2008, Guilford County voters approved $457 million in school bonds that school board members said was needed immediately – and ten years later the school system was struggling to spend the final millions of that money before the deadline for using it expired.
Ugh!
Proper maintenance would keep any building in use for a lifetime, and more. Some of the photos of broken and run-down things, which could have been easily kept up. Govt is the last entity you want running an enterprise.
This is an example of waste, squared.
This $2.5 billion lalapalooza is a reason NOT to live in Guilford County. Personally, we have decided that when one of us checks out, the survivor will leave the County – south. No wonder the new battery plant is being built south of the County line. Good reason to move there, too.
The voters will get what they ask for. If you own no property, and think you will escape the cost, you are mistaken. Wherever you live, whatever business you frequent, whatever road you travel; you will pay their property taxes.
Your first paragraph nails it!
So glad I no longer live in Guilford county. The people who voted yes for the school bond deserve everything you will or will not get!!!!
Doesn’t bode well for City and County council elections, does it? We are trapped in a woke cage.
Big Sedalia, or perhaps Little Portland.
Well, considering the political breakdown of Democrats to Republicans in Guilford County is 60.8% to 37.7% , it appears that is how the vote turned out. Seems that even on the local level , Democrats love spending money like it grows on trees. And with a charge of over $800 million in interest, great job idiots, great job. There is now over $2 Billion for schools, better see all of it go to school buildings and no “retreats” for our lovely school board.
“Mac on May 18, 2022 at 3:28 PM
Well, considering the political breakdown of Democrats to Republicans in Guilford County is 60.8% to 37.7%, it appears that is how the vote turned out.”
I had hoped, after all the garbage that went on the last two years in this County, that some sense would have been knocked into even the most hard-headed progressive-leaning voters, but I was wrong. For years I keep voting, believing that people will see more clearly what I see, but it doesn’t happen. I don’t understand, really I don’t.
As you have pointed out with a 61% to 38% difference there is no longer a chance for conservative voters to have their viewpoint considered. After years of the same politicians being voted into office even though their policies are destroying this community with horrible economic, legal, business, growth, educational, and equitable decisions I feel there isn’t any point in my voting anymore, voicing my opinion anymore, or attempting to discuss any of these issues with anyone anymore. Nothing I think about any of the topics matters as long as they have my tax money. I’m most discouraged, depressed, and disheartened by the fact that I liked this county when I first moved here 44 years ago, it suited me as a person. But now it’s become the place I left, California. So both are being destroyed by others and I’m helpless to stop them. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels like this, it’s tiring, sad, defeating. There’s nowhere else to go, we’re just stuck and they don’t care as long as we pay. What is most disturbing is it could be so much better for everyone and they don’t even understand that.
Move to FL, TX, SC, MO, AR,MS, AL, TN, or LA, WY, or MT. Those states vote red even when Trump, Santos, et al other reactionaries run for office.
This is very like having your Congressional district gerrymandered, a la Walker.
I know exactly how you feel, Deborah. I had to leave my country of birth to escape socialism and the subtle tyranny it brings. I never thought I’d see this sort of thing in America, at least not in my lifetime. But evil never quits, and the Left is pure evil.
I remember a North Carolina of low taxes, minimal regulations, fierce independent individualism, and freedom.
It was great. Really great.
what if the Guilford co . school board don’t spend thje 1.7 bil $ school bond money by dead line . What happens?
Guilford County loses the right to borrow whatever is left which would not be a bad thing for Guilford County taxpayers. The fear many people have is that the schools will go on a wild spending sprees in an attempt to spend the $1.7 billion before 2032.
What fools. You’re trusting these county commissioners and this school system with that amount of money? I believe a certain block of voters approved this disaster and will leave it at that. You better pray the new businesses generate some tax dollars if both the county and city has not already sold their souls. Not sure how the socialist government will pay for this but I have a good idea. It’s going to be ugly.
I thought state had an education lottery?
We get what we vote for. This is a slush fund for DemonRats. Enjoy your future tax increases!
As each week passes with news of bonuses for teachers, pay raises for public sector employees, paid days for “shots”, $6000/week City Managers, the obscene greed of the public – parasitic – sector becomes more undeniable.
And now a small public school system in North Carolina has $1.7 BILLION to play with, which we’ll all pay for – with interest.
We are living in an era of Public Sector profligacy amidst Private Sector privation.
Those riding in the wagon are sticking it to the people who are pulling the wagon.
It’s disgusting.
Well Guilford County , have ya’ll figured out who’s gonna pay for this? ‘Cause I think the School Board and the County Commissioners have failed the people who pay the bills.
One wild card: the consultants who estimated the $1.7 billion need, I doubt they factored in the current inflation that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. So construction costs will be higher. And with inflation, the interest rates we can get will be higher as well.
I really wish the school board and county commissioners could figure out how to fully fund the ongoing facility maintenance needs so that we don’t defer maintenance until we have no choice but tear down and rebuild or undertake extension rehab work. This has been the pattern for decades. Building maintenance needs are predictable and manageable. But our leaders do what bad leaders do: they procrastinate until they can’t anymore. Bad leadership but politics as usual.
Public education is most critical! Maintenance is critical to good facilities and forward-looking education. But ongoing maintenance takes tax dollars on an ongoing basis. If we want good school facilities that allow teachers and students to maximize their potential then we must pay for it. If not us, who? We could privatize all education and allow the rich to get best education via the best, most expensive schools and the poor — of all cultures, colors and races to get crumbs from cheap, bad private schools.
“Cheap, bad private schools” ..? Is that why private schools consistently and clearly outperform government schools by every measure, in every instance?
What part of the government schools empire do you work in?
Y’all have fun paying to line King Skippy, Queen Nancy’s pockets. I’ll be in SC in a red state and local government paying taxes on average 23% lower. Sad state of affairs around here.
And now they want to “house” foster kids at the American Hebrew Academy. BS. Who is going to live there with them? Why would the school system get in the business of now providing housing to students? Rumor is they also want to use their fields for Grimsley since they have f-Ed up their athletic fields. Read the myfox8 article. The city council (both Nancy’s ) have absolved themselves of any knowledge/responsibility. That’s because they do not live near this and could give a crap.
GCS can’t keep substitute teachers from assaulting students. How would they keep foster kids safe in a dorm?
So very sad. Maybe people have been so numbed by hearing the word BILLIONS thrown around at the federal level that they assume little ole Guilford County can handle it. Heck you even hear politicians frequently mess up their speeches by saying billions instead of millions and vice versa. I don’t think the North-easterners moving down here because it’s “cheap” will be happy until they’ve re-created that from which they flee. Connect the dots people!
The public should demand regular audits if spending and be on the outlook for cronyism and nepotism.
You heard it here first:
They’ll come back and ask for more in under five year.
The only solution is to throw the bums out.
I think the word school has fooled many. My daughter goes to southeast and comes home complaining she sweats all day due to air conditioning issues. What happened to the last bond they voted for. My wife was almost fooled into voting for this. I had to slow her down and explain this administration cares less about our children. I have a couple of years left till mine are grown then I will move south about 3 miles into Randolph.