In 1991, our community overwhelmingly supported a referendum to bring together three school districts to create Guilford County Schools, a unified district committed to supporting ALL children in our community. Since then, GCS has been home to nationally recognized students, educators, and leaders.
“It’s about the only equitable way that public education can give all kids a fair chance.”
William B. Reynolds, City Electrical Inspector
Greensboro News & Record, 1991
We have also faced significant challenges as a district over the last three decades. Namely, the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most disruptive singular forces in education.
While the challenges we face are not solely the effect of a global health crisis, pandemic-related disruptions exposed historical, systemic gaps in our nation’s education systems.
“The pandemic erased two decades of progress in math and reading.”
The New York Times, September 2022
READ THE FULL ARTICLE“Despite the trauma, pain and suffering that the pandemic brought, it also taught us we can overcome significant challenges when working together as one community.”
Melvin “Skip” Alston, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners
Deena Hayes-Greene, Chairperson of the Guilford County Board of Education
Dr. Whitney Oakley, Superintendent of Guilford County Schools
National research suggests it will take several years for students to recover from learning loss experienced during the pandemic. However, due to early action by our school leaders and the commitment of our community, we are beginning to see academic progress.
Math Recovery Faster Than the State
Looking forward to the numerous possibilities to support our public schools, Guilford County voters have taken an important step to launch our school district into the 21st century by approving a historic $2 billion investment in our facilities.
The voter-approved bond program will build, rebuild and fully renovate schools across the county. The program will also invest millions of dollars in school safety and technology upgrades. The school bonds represent a strong, unified commitment to support our public schools.
This is not the time to slow down. We must look toward the horizon recognizing the 2020s will be one of the most important decades for our students, our community, and Guilford County.
