School Bonds Update

  • 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.

  • 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

OVERVIEW: How will the bonds be used to improve our schools?

  • 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:

    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

INFO: Belmont Middle School

  • Belmont Middle School rendering

    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

  • Ashbrook High School

    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.

  • 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.