GREENSBORO, N.C. — The historic Lindley Elementary School will be torn down and a new school built. Funds to build the new school will come from the 2022 Bond Referendum.
Following is the rebuild details as we Build Smart 2gether.
On Tuesday night, July 23, 2024, the Guilford County school board voted to rebuild the school as opposed to renovating it. The board's decision follows months of weighing the pros and cons of both options.
Past and current students who learn at the elementary school walk in the footsteps of those who came decades before them.
"It definitely fits in with the character of Lindley Park and then on the inside, we have an auditorium that is absolutely gorgeous, that still has the original wooded seats with the John Van Lindley logo on them," described Lindley Elementary School principal, Kevin Smith.
Without a doubt, the 1928 building is nostalgic, but if you take a deeper look, you'll find several trouble areas.
Principal Smith described a spot on the walls within one classroom.
"You see where like all the plaster is falling off back there too? Smith continued," Basically you've got moisture seeping in through that brick because it all needs to be resealed."
Lindley Elementary School parent, Amelia Mattocks said the temperature within the building is inconsistent.
"My kids come prepared for whatever the temperature may be. They dress in layers just in case," Mattocks explained.
Parts of the building are almost 100 years old. The structure built without AC, during a time when building codes were different, and Wi-Fi was not thought of.
For these reasons, the school has been on the school board's radar.
"Back in 2019 the district took on a full district-wide master plan and evaluation and Lindley was one of the worst school conditions that we had in the district which is why they were a part of the 2022 Bond Referendum," said Guilford County Schools, Dr. Julius Monk.
Dr. Monk said the school system held meetings for months hearing from community members and parents, gathering all opinions about whether to rebuild or renovate.
"We've heard the gambit of preserve, which is using all the original materials that are in the building to just keeping the façade of the 1928 building. All things are possible," explained Dr. Monk.
A slideshow from GCS breaks down the numbers. Cost model projects shows a renovation and addition will cost nearly $94 million compared to $76 million for all new construction.
"The reality is not all things are going to allow us to a make sure that we are utilizing taxpayer dollars in the most efficient way possible as well as maximizing those dollars. We've gone from in 2019 construction cost around $200 a square foot to over $400 in square foot now," said Dr. Monk.
Dr. Monk gave us an estimated timeline. He said the new school's design will take a year to complete. After the renderings are complete, it should take another 18-24 months before students are back on campus. GCS said the project is expected to be complete in 2027.
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