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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.
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Current and Completed Projects
Take a look at the charts below for a list of our current and completed projects.
Current Projects
| Location | Repairs and Renovations | Project Scope | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbrook High School | Lighting | LED | In Process |
| Belmont Middle School | New School | New school to replaced current school built 80 years ago (oldest in the county). | In Process |
| Brookside Elementary | Life Safety | Generator Replacement | In Process |
| Carr Elementary School | Life Safety | Intercom replacement, camera, access control and door hardware upgrades | In Process |
| Cramerton Middle School | Life Safety | Generator Replacement | In Process |
| East Gaston High School | Lighting | LED | In Process |
| East Gaston High School | Structural Repairs | Facade | In Process |
| Highland School of Technology | Life Safety | Fencing | In process |
| Holbrook Middle School | Lighting | LED | In Process |
| Mount Holly Middle School | Roof Replacement | Roofing Replacement | In Process |
| New Hope Elementary | Life Safety | Intercom replacement, camera, access control and door hardware upgrades | In Process |
| Sadler Elementary | Life Safety | Generator Replacement | In Process |
| South Point High School | Lighting | LED | In Process |
Completed Projects
| Location | Repairs and Renovations | Project Scope | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbrook High School | Structural Repairs | Repairs to Visitor Bleachers | Complete |
| Ashbrook High School | Structural Repairs | Facade | Complete |
| Bessemer City High School | Electrical | Upgraded wiring to support HVAC | Complete |
| Bessemer City High School | Lights | LED Lighting - Multi-stage project. 100 hall complete. | Complete |
| Bessemer City High School | HVAC | Upgrades to 200 hall | Complete |
| Bessemer City Middle School | Life Safety | Elevator Renovation | Complete |
| Brookside Elementary | Roof Replacement | Roof Replacement | Complete |
| Carr Elementary School | Asphalt Replacement | Asphalt Replacement | Complete |
| Chavis Middle School | Athletic Facilities | Replacement of gym floor | Complete |
| Chavis Middle School | Electrical/Lighting | LED lighting | Complete |
| Cherryville Elementary School | Parking Lots/Driveway | Parking Lot/Asphalt Replacement | Complete |
| Cherryville High School | Asphalt Replacement | Asphalt Replacement | Complete |
| Costner Elementary School | HVAC | BAS Upgrades | Complete |
| Costner Elementary School | Life Safety | Fencing | Complete |
| Cramerton Middle School | HVAC | Replace Chiller | Complete |
| East Gaston High School | Elevator | Elevator Modernization | Complete |
| East Gaston High School | Roof Replacement | Roofing Replacement | Complete |
| Forestview High School | Life Safety | Generator Replacement | Complete |
| Grier Middle School | Driveway | Asphalt replacement | Complete |
| Highland School of Technology | Roof Replacement | Roofing Replacement | Complete |
| Holbrook Middle School | Athletic Facilities | Replacing gym floor | Complete |
| Holbrook Middle School | Structural Repairs | Windows and Bleachers | Complete |
| Holbrook Middle School | Life Safety | Intercom replacement, camera, access control, and door hardware upgrades | Complete |
| Mount Holly Middle School | Parking Lot and Driveway | Asphalt Replacement | Complete |
| New Hope Elementary | Doors/Windows | Replacement of windows at front entrance | Complete |
IN PICTURES: School Bond Projects
OVERVIEW: How will the bonds be used to improve our schools?
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On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, the citizens of Gaston County had the opportunity to vote on a $250 million school bond referendum. The referendum was approved by voters with more than 69 percent of the vote.
The funds will be used to address critical needs in three categories:- New School Construction: $110 million
- School Additions: $25 million
- Renovations and Repairs: $115 million
New School Construction: $110 million
- $30 million to build a new elementary school in the southeast Gastonia area to accommodate future growth and alleviate the potential for overcrowding. The southeast quadrant of the county has been identified as an area for significant population growth.
- $40 million to build a new middle school in Belmont (the new school will replace the old Belmont Middle School building).
- $40 million to build a new middle school that would replace one of our old middle schools and be built to accommodate growth.
School Additions: $25 million
- Classroom additions
- Expansion and renovation of media centers and cafeterias
Renovations and Repairs: $115 million
Funds designated for schools in all six townships based on the critical facility needs in each township:- Cherryville Township - $5.8 million
- Crowders Mountain Township - $12.1 million
- Dallas Township - $14.5 million
- Gastonia Township - $38.7 million
- Riverbend Township - $21.6 million
- South Point Township - $20.3 million
($2 million is allocated for department office buildings)
The funds will address the most critical renovations and repairs in the following areas:
- Life Safety (cameras, intercoms, and alarms)
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
- Electrical/Lighting
- Water/Sewer/Gas Lines
- Plumbing
- Roof Replacement
- Structural Repairs
- Athletic Facilities
- Doors/Windows
- Parking Lots/Driveways
- Environmental
- Elevators
- Restrooms
- ADA Compliance
VIDEO: Information about School Bonds
Latest News
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On April 19, 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.
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, which is scheduled to open in August, and approximately $23.5 million for school renovations/repairs.
Click here to watch the presentation to the Board of Education.
INFO: Belmont Middle School
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The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Belmont Middle School was held on March 25, 2019. The new school will open in August 2021.Click here to watch the groundbreaking ceremony video.
Click here for our news article about the groundbreaking ceremony.
Click here for our news article about construction progress.
Click here for a slideshow of construction pictures.
Click here to watch our "GCS Quick Clip" video from August 2020.
Click here to visit the architect’s website.
INFO: Facade Projects
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Click here to read our news article from August 2020.
Click here to see before and after pictures of the Ashbrook High School facade project.
Click here to see before and after pictures of the East Gaston High School facade project.
Click here to see before and after pictures of the South Point High School facade project.
CHARTS: School Repairs and Renovations by Townships
Video Archive
- VIDEO: Presentation to Board of Education - April 19, 2021
- VIDEO: "GCS Quick Clip" from August 2020
- VIDEO: Presentation to the Board of Education, June 15, 2020
- VIDEO: Groundbreaking Ceremony, March 25, 2019
- 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
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IN REVIEW: School bonds approved; first steps taken toward new middle school in Belmont
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. Click here for our news article.
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.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. Click here for an article from The Gaston Gazette.
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. Click here for an article from The Gaston Gazette.
