A bond referendum aimed at improving Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools could be on the November ballot. The school board has compiled a list of around $325 million worth of projects.
The district hasn't had a bond referendum for large-scale school construction in about ten years. But since then, enrollment has increased by more than 6,000 students, especially in the western and southern parts of the county.
“We have a number of students out in mobile units and what we are trying to do is bring some of those students back into brick and mortar buildings, so when we talk about capacity, that's what we are trying to address,” says Theo Helm, chief of staff for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
The money would also be used to build replacement schools for Brunson Elementary, Paisley Middle, Konnoak Elementary and Lowrance Middle School.
Several other buildings throughout the district would see capital improvements and repairs, as well as technology upgrades.
Helm says the proposed list isn't final. The school board will next hold several meetings inviting the public to comment on the plans. The first one is 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8 at East Forsyth High School.
Forsyth County Commissioners will have to approve the measure for the fall ballot, along with the amount.
Helm says if they get what they're asking for, a person who has a home valued at $150,000 can expect to pay around $45.00 more a year in property taxes.
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