State SchoolsFriday, November 6
NC school districts report $18 billion in construction needs over the next five years
The 5AM Durham team
North Carolina school districts say they need about $18 billion for construction over the next five years, up from $13.1 billion in 2021, according to a survey presented to the State Board of Education on Nov. 4. Guilford County ($2.2 billion), Wake County ($2 billion) and Winston-Salem/Forsyth ($1.5 billion) listed the most.
$18 billionin school construction needs over the next five years
That's up from $13.1 billion in the 2021 survey, a nearly $5 billion increase.
Sources: Durham Herald Sun, Carolina Journal
- Renovations: $9.8 billion at 1,416 schools; new schools $6.2 billion
- Old buildings: 40% are more than 50 years old
- State lottery money: $2.8 billion for construction over five years
- DPI could ask lawmakers for $142 million more a year
Higher construction costs, not more projects, drive most of the increase, Carolina Journal reports: the survey's baseline rose from $250 to $350 per square foot. Counties passed about $5 billion in school bonds over the same period, in only eight of 100 counties. "So there's a real issue in terms of where the money is going to come from," state board Vice Chairman Alan Duncan said. He added that help may be needed now that voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing the General Assembly to limit local property tax increases.
Guilford, Wake and Winston-Salem/Forsyth listed the most school construction needs
Source: Durham Herald Sun
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Guilford | $2.2 billion |
| Wake | $2 billion |
| Winston-Salem/Forsyth | $1.5 billion |
Sources: Durham Herald Sun, Carolina Journal