School Bonds

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Thank you, Gaston County, for supporting our schools! 

The $250 million school bond referendum was approved during the primary election on May 8, 2018 with more than 69 percent of the vote in favor.

Periodically, we will post updates on this webpage as we put the bond funds to good use to improve school facilities for students, teachers, and our community.

School Bonds 2018

Take a look at the charts below for a list of our current projects.

Grier Middle School Construction

A large yellow excavator is demolishing a dilapidated building, surrounded by piles of rubble and debris, with a forested area visible in the background.
The image shows a construction site with two yellow excavators in the foreground, surrounded by piles of debris and a grassy area. In the background, there is a brick building with a red roof.
An orange excavator is digging into the ground in the foreground, surrounded by a brick building and trees in the background.
The image shows a construction site with heavy machinery, including an excavator and a dump truck, actively engaged in demolition and debris removal amidst a wooded, green background.
An orange Hitachi excavator is digging into a mound of dirt in a forested area, with trees and vegetation visible in the background.
A construction worker in a high-visibility vest stands in a muddy, excavated area surrounded by piles of construction materials and equipment.
A construction site with various heavy machinery, including excavators and bulldozers, working on a dirt-filled landscape surrounded by lush greenery in the background.
A construction site with heavy machinery and piles of logs in the background, and a worker operating a piece of equipment in the foreground.
A construction worker operating a heavy machinery vehicle in a dusty, rural landscape with storage tanks in the background.
A construction site with a large excavator digging into the reddish-brown soil, surrounded by piles of dirt and construction materials in the foreground, with buildings visible in the background.
A large pile of dirt and construction materials in the foreground, with a brick building and various construction equipment visible in the background.
A construction site with heavy machinery, including a bulldozer and a dump truck, working on excavating and moving soil in a forested area.
A construction site with heavy machinery, including a large yellow dump truck and a backhoe, working on a dirt road surrounded by piles of rocks and debris.
A construction site with workers laying concrete blocks and operating machinery in the foreground, surrounded by a partially completed structure in the background.
A construction site with heavy machinery, including excavators and trucks, working on a building project surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
A construction site with a partially completed brick building, scaffolding, and construction materials scattered in the foreground.
The image shows several construction workers wearing bright yellow and green safety gear, working on a construction site with scaffolding and building materials visible in the background.
A large, multi-story brick building with a construction site in the foreground, surrounded by fencing and construction equipment.
A large, multi-story brick building with windows and a construction site in the foreground, surrounded by a sandy, unfinished area with construction equipment.
A construction site with a large red forklift and a white truck in the foreground, and a multi-story brick building under construction in the background.
A long, narrow hallway with a tiled floor and exposed ceiling beams, leading to a room at the far end.
A large metal appliance, likely an HVAC unit, sits in the foreground of the image, surrounded by construction materials and tools in the background.
A large, open indoor space with white walls, windows, and construction materials such as wooden boards and boxes scattered throughout the room.
A large, open indoor space with a concrete floor, exposed ceiling beams, and several people working on various tasks in the background.
An empty room with a concrete floor, white walls, and a yellow stripe running along the upper portion of the walls. The room appears to be a commercial or industrial space, with exposed ceiling beams and lighting fixtures.
A narrow concrete walkway flanked by tall red brick buildings, with a few cables running along the ground.
A long, narrow hallway with white walls and a yellow accent wall, leading to a staircase at the end. The floor appears to be made of weathered wooden planks, and there are various objects and equipment visible in the background.
A large, open indoor space with a green maintenance cart in the foreground and windows visible in the background.
A stairwell with yellow railings and a partially visible room with windows and white walls in the background.
A large brick building with multiple stories stands in the background, while a construction site with heavy machinery occupies the foreground, indicating ongoing renovations or construction work.
A bright and colorful hallway with a staircase leading upwards, surrounded by white walls and a tiled floor in various shades of green and gray.
A spacious and well-lit kitchen area with wooden cabinets, countertops, and a large window providing natural light.
A well-lit, modern hallway with a railing and windows, featuring a mix of neutral and vibrant colors on the walls and floor.
The image shows a commercial kitchen with various cooking equipment, including ovens and other appliances, arranged in a cluttered and disorganized manner, suggesting an ongoing renovation or construction project.
A large, open indoor space with a concrete floor, high ceilings, and basketball hoops mounted on the walls, suggesting a gymnasium or sports facility.

Belmont Middle School Construction

A large brick building with arched windows and an entrance canopy, surrounded by a dirt construction site with a white pickup truck in the foreground.
A cluttered hallway with stacks of boxes, furniture, and other items lining the walls, leading up to a staircase in the background.
A long, empty hallway with white walls and a concrete floor, with a person walking in the distance and a blue cart in the foreground.
A staircase leading up, with a green wall visible in the background, and a window providing natural light in the space.
A large brick and stone building with arched windows and an entrance canopy, situated in a sunny outdoor setting with a paved area in the foreground.
An empty room with a tiled ceiling, bare walls, and a concrete floor, with some scattered items and debris visible.
The image depicts a partially constructed interior space with drywall panels on the walls, a concrete floor, and various construction materials and equipment scattered throughout the room.
A cluttered and disorganized workshop or storage space with various tools, equipment, and boxes scattered throughout the room, which has green and blue painted walls.
An empty room with a concrete floor, gray walls, and recessed lighting fixtures on the ceiling. A window on the right side casts natural light into the space.
An empty, unfinished room with a grid-like ceiling, large windows, and a bare concrete floor.
A partially furnished kitchen with wooden cabinets and countertops, along with some construction materials on the floor.
The image shows a construction site with several workers in safety gear standing in the foreground, and a partially constructed building visible in the background.
A large, open indoor space with a tiled floor, green walls, and multiple doorways leading to other areas.
A cluttered corner of a room with various electrical cords and cables hanging from the walls and floor, creating a tangled and disorganized appearance.
A long, narrow hallway with white walls, a concrete floor, and a suspended ceiling with recessed lighting. The hallway appears to be in a state of construction or renovation, with exposed electrical outlets and wiring visible.
A large, industrial-looking metal enclosure with a door and ventilation grilles, situated in a dimly lit background.
A brick-walled alleyway with a paved walkway, where two individuals in high-visibility vests are visible in the background.
An empty room with a concrete floor, white walls, and recessed lighting fixtures in the ceiling.
A large, open warehouse space filled with various equipment, furniture, and boxes, suggesting an ongoing renovation or relocation project.
A large brick building with a covered entryway, surrounded by a concrete walkway and construction materials in the foreground.
A series of metal staircases and platforms leading up to a concrete building with a red-tiled roof, set against a clear blue sky.
A baseball field with a dirt infield and a metal fence surrounding the outfield, set against a backdrop of lush green trees.
A construction site with heavy machinery, piles of materials, and a wooded area in the background.
A red brick building with an open doorway stands in a clearing, with a small construction vehicle parked in the foreground and a wooded area visible in the background.
A construction site with a partially built structure, surrounded by heavy machinery, fencing, and a wooded area in the background.

High School Facade Projects

Through the approval of the 2018 bond referendum, four high schools, Ashbrook, East Gaston, North Gaston, and South Point, along with W.C. Friday Middle School, received updated facades to enhance the appearance of their schools.

VIDEO: Information about School Bonds

In Review: W.P. Grier Middle School

A concept drawing of the new Grier Middle School.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new W.P. Greer Middle School was held on October 3, 2023, and the grand opening celebration was held on August 7, 2025.

Read the grand opening news article

Watch the grand opening celebration video

Watch the groundbreaking ceremony video

Watch a tour of Grier Middle School by principal Dr. Jessica Mellon

Watch the construction of the new Grier Middle School through the eyes of students

Watch a tour of the construction process of Grier Middle School with LS3P architecture

Watch a tour of the construction of the new Grier Middle School

Watch the construction of the old Grier Middle School to make way for the athletic fields (1 of 2)

Watch the construction of the old Grier Middle School to make way for the athletic fields (2 of 2)

Resources

Bond Resolution - Presentation to the Board of Education on April 19, 2021

VIDEO: Bond Resolution at Board of Education Meeting (April 19, 2021)

2018 Long Range Facilities Plan

IN REVIEW: Second Allocation of School Bond Funds

On August 16, 2021, the Board of Education approved a resolution that asks the county to allocate additional funds from the $250 million school bond referendum that was approved by voters in May 2018. 

The additional funds would allow the school district to continue its efforts to address critical school facility needs (new construction, repairs, renovations, etc.) across the county.  The resolution includes the intention of the Board for the construction of a new Grier Middle School.

In November 2018, the county allocated $60 million in school bond funds.  The first allocation included approximately $36.5 million for the construction of Belmont Middle School and approximately $23.5 million for school renovations/repairs.  The resolution approved on August 16, 2021 is in relation to a second allocation of school bond funds.

Watch the presentation to the Board of Education

Read the “Resolution to Request Approval and Appropriation of 2018 School Bond Funds for Gaston County Schools”

Watch the presentation to the Board of Education for information about school libraries/media centers

IN REVIEW: Belmont Middle School

Belmont Middle School rendering

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Belmont Middle School was held on March 25, 2019, and the grand opening celebration was held on August 15, 2021.

Watch the the grand opening celebration video

Watch the groundbreaking ceremony video

Watch our "GCS Quick Clip" video from August 2020

Watch our "GCS Quick Clip" video from July 2021

IN REVIEW: School bonds approved; first steps taken toward new middle school in Belmont

May 22, 2018
Following approval of the school bond referendum, the Board of Education and the Gaston County Commissioners conducted a meeting to discuss the 2018-2019 local budget for Gaston County Schools, the 2018 school bonds, and the one-quarter of a cent sales tax.  Both the school bonds and sales tax (to help pay for the bonds) were approved by voters during the May 8 primary election. 

June 12, 2018
As part of the 2018-2019 county budget, the Gaston County Commissioners approved the issuance of $60 million in school bonds.  The $60 million will be used to build a new Belmont Middle School (to replace the current Belmont Middle School building that is more than 80 years old) and to begin addressing some of our most critical facility needs and repairs.  

August 20, 2018
The Board of Education heard a presentation from LS3P Architects about the planning and design of the new Belmont Middle School.  Click here to watch the presentation to the Board of Education.

October 15, 2018
The Gaston County Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the construction bid from Beam Construction Company for the new Belmont Middle School.  Click here to watch the presentation to the Board of Education.  

Video Archive

VIDEO: Summer Projects Update - August 15, 2022

VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education - August 16, 2021

VIDEO: Presentation to Board of Education - April 19, 2021

VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education, June 15, 2020

VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education, October 15, 2018

VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education, August 20, 2018

VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education, March 19, 2018