Johnston County Board of Education approves $177M bond referendum, heads to November ballot
Families in Johnston County can expect a big ask from school board members at the polls this fall.
On Tuesday night, the Johnston county Board of Education approved a $177 million bond referendum as a proposal for voter approval. It’s an effort to address overcrowding in schools as the county experiences rapid growth.
In a presentation on the proposal, school leaders said Johnston County has the fastest growing population in North Carolina and the ninth fastest in the country.
School leaders are desperate in wanting to tackle overcrowding and outdated equipment. Johnston County Public Schools is seeing an average increase of 714 students per year, school leaders said, and enrollment is projected to continue increasing at 729 students per year.
Effects from overcrowding in schools includes a more distracting atmosphere, losing teachers and extra wear and tear on common areas like the cafeteria or gym, JCPS said in the bond referendum proposal.
School leaders said having families approve this bond referendum helps build new facilities and enhance and renovate current schools.
JCPS Chief of Facilities and Construction Brooks Moore said items such as HVAC equipment should have been replaced 12 years ago. Additionally, JCPS is using 186 mobile classrooms to deal with overcrowded classroom.
Moore said the bond referendum puts the school system in a better position to handle current challenges.
"Upgrades and new features at all campuses and improving the safety of students and staff," said Moore during Tuesday's meeting.
The bond referendum headed to the November ballot address "the most critical growth needs," school leaders said, and paves the way "for future infrastructure improvements."
