Please check this space for updates about the 2018 School Bonds.  We will post information periodically as we work to put the bond funds to good use to improve our school facilities.

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.

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 issuance is expected in fall 2018.  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 75 years old) and to begin addressing some of our most critical facility needs and repairs.  Click here for an article from The Gaston Gazette.

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.  Click here for the article.

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Statement from Superintendent W. Jeffrey Booker (May 9, 2018)
We are extremely pleased and grateful to our community for supporting the school bonds.  All of the ‘yes’ votes are an investment in education, an investment in our children, and an investment in our future.

With the bonds being approved by a significant margin, it is clear that voters care about the schools in Gaston County, and they want the best schools for our children.

Just this year, we have seen the benefits of school bonds with the opening of the new Pleasant Ridge Elementary and Stanley Middle School.  With these bonds, we will continue moving forward to have more new schools and upgrade the existing ones to ensure that our students have a safe and nurturing school environment.    

So many people put energy into spreading the word about the importance of the bonds, and they worked extremely hard over the past several months to get out the vote.  With the positive vote for the school bonds, it is a time for our community to celebrate. To everyone who voted for the bonds, we would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you.’

Statement from Board of Education Chairman Kevin L. Collier (May 9, 2018)
We would like to thank everyone who voted in favor of the school bonds.  The bonds will provide funds for new schools, critical renovations and repairs, and school additions.  Our next step is for the Board of Education to work with the County Commissioners to issue the bonds and begin work on the school projects.

In addition to everyone who voted for the bonds, we would like to thank the “Our Children, Our Future” bond referendum committee, parents, business leaders, and many other people in our community who joined together to promote the school bonds.  It has been a community-wide effort, and it is so reassuring with this vote to see so much support for our schools.

We also are pleased to see that voters have approved the quarter-cent sales tax.  The sales tax is expected to generate an extra $6 million a year, which the county has pledged to help pay for the school bonds.

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:

• Cheryville 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