Over 1500 signatures were delivered on paper to county commissioners on Tues. 5/19. We will send the rest on Thurs. 5/21 before their meeting, when they will vote on the BOE's $1.6 billion proposal.

As of Thurs. 5/21/20 at 2pm we have 1,689 signatures representing 44 different zip codes around Guilford County.

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Dear Guilford County Commissioners,

During the COVID crisis, our public schools have been on the frontlines of serving our county’s students, and families. Once the crisis is over parents, caregivers, employees and community members want all students to have safe, healthy, and sustainable buildings to return to.

Independent consultants found that many school buildings are outdated, and have issues including leaks, mold, and barely functional heating and air systems. All told, our schools need $2.7 billion in repairs and upgrades. Now more than ever, we need to invest in our public school facilities to secure the future for our children and communities as we bounce back from this pandemic.

The County Commissioners need to respond to the Board of Education request for a $1.6 billion bond to be placed on the ballot in November. This will allow us to begin the first stage of repairs. Public school families, employees and community members deserve to be part of the discussion for the full request.

We are calling on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners to:

--File with the Local Government Council to begin discussion on a bond amount of up to $1.6 billion, as requested by the Guilford County Board of Education; and

--Allow public school families, employees, and supporters to speak on the full $1.6 billion request in the required public hearing

Please let us -- GCS parents, caregivers, educators and community members -- have a say in the schools we will return to. Do not make a decision on the amount before you have held public hearings. Do not cut us out of the process.

Now more than ever, we are looking to our County Commissioners to listen to constituents and to invest the future.

Signed,