News-Record.com

Eastern Guilford High School
How much: $45 million
Would buy: A new high school, which is already under construction, to replace the one that burned in 2006.
Why: Most seem to agree that the high school needs to be built, and this bond might have the most public support.
Why not: Those opposed likely are against any bond or tax-rate increases. For any bond passed, there likely would be an increase on the property tax rate. Taxes for the owner of a $200,000 home went up about $60 in the 2007-08 budget . The owner of that same house would see that tax bill increase $58 next year and then another $97 in 2009-10 if all of the bonds passed .
Notable: Commissioners promised to find the money to rebuild the school. They also asked the school board to make the money request into a bond proposal that could go to voters. Then, when it was part of a total package including $412 million for other school projects, the commissioners pulled it out for a separate referendum.

Guilford County Schools
How much: $412.3 million
Would buy: Four schools; 13 renovation and addition projects; improvements to athletics facilities at Dudley, Grimsley, High Point Central, Northwest, Page, Southeast, Southwest and Ragsdale high schools.
Why: “The need for the listed schools and renovations is not going to go away,” says Sharon Shepard , 42, of Jamestown, a mother of two students in High Point schools. “If we do not pass this bond now and get started building, the costs are just going to be higher and the needs are going to be greater in a few more years.”
Why not: “I have no children in school and have never had children in school because I chose not to have children. Yet, I pay school taxes with my property tax,” says Ouida Campbell, 59 , of Greensboro. “And we now have a lottery that is supposed to help with the school system. Hello? Why isn’t the lottery providing the schools that we need?”
Notable: Commissioners have considered whether a few projects could be cut.

GTCC
How much: $79.5 million
Would buy: A $50.5 million northwest campus; a $6 million aviation training classroom; $23 million for a parking deck, HVAC renovation and land purchase near existing campuses for expansion.
Why: “As a teacher I see many students graduating with minimal job skills and GTCC is a great place to learn a skilled trade and become a contributing member of society,” says Tom Skaar, 63, of Jamestown . “They also service the large population of school dropouts who later realize their mistake and go back for their GED.”
Why not: “The plans for GTCC are far too ambitious,” says Brenda Bowers, 66, of Greensboro . “Greensboro has so many schools of higher education that one campus does not have to serve the needs of everyone. There needs to be ... cooperation and coordination between the schools when considering their offerings and classes.”
Notable: Community college officials say that HondaJet’s presence in the area creates a demand for an aviation training classroom and that the campus would serve training needs of new industry locating near the airport.

Parks and recreation
How much: $20.2 million
Would buy: $6 million in athletics fields, parking, trails, playground equipment and picnic shelters for Bryan Park at Guilford County; $5 million Hagan-Stone Park renovations; $4 million to greenway construction; $1.2 million Triad Park venture with Forsyth County; $2 million for the miracle field for handicapped children in High Point; and $2 million for projects in central Greensboro that could include a skate park.
Why: “The beautiful parks we have in Greensboro rival those I have enjoyed in California,” says Gay Davis, 59, of Greensboro. “If any citizens of Greensboro are downcast, suddenly lose their job, become distressed about their families and so forth, I humbly suggest that they simply take a nice stroll in one of our many beautiful parks.”
Why not: Some will argue that when finances are tight, parks are a luxury and government should focus on its most pressing priorities.
Notable: Voters have supported parks in a big way in the new millennium. In 2004 they approved a $20 million bond for parks and previously, a $10 million bond for parks in 2000.

Guilford County jail
How much: $114.6 million
Would buy: A 968-bed jail that would receive bids for construction in late 2008.
Why: “While jail should not be a nice place, it should have enough room to house the people sent there,” says Charles Hook , 69 , of Greensboro.
Why not: “It would be better if we could find more ways to help people stay out of jail, so they can be earning money and paying taxes instead of consuming our tax dollars and creating nothing of value,” says Rob Rachlin , 61, of Greensboro.
Notable: This and the school bond are the most controversial bond issues. Some commissioners say more money, time and effort put toward crime prevention would lessen the burden on jails. The downtown Greensboro jail has been the target for expansion or replacement since at least 2001, when the state asked Sheriff BJ Barnes to relocate 100 prisoners from the crowded quarters there.