Greenville County Schools unveils 2026 facilities plan, recommends demolishing old Greer High for new career center

Greenville County Schools officials on March 10 presented a 2026 long-range facilities plan that keeps the district within its current debt millage while accelerating several construction and replacement projects, including a recommendation to demolish the 1954 Greer High School and build a new Jay Harley Bonds Career Center on that site.

Dr. Royster, who opened the board briefing, said the plan builds a 10–12 year project view even as staff continue to prepare single-year budgets. “We have attached for your information the facility study that we completed in 2021, which became the basis for our decision to recommend … replacement of some number of our buildings,” Dr. Royster said. He highlighted ongoing work at the new Northwest Middle School and an upcoming Bryson Middle School.

Greg Port, who reviewed CIP highlights, said the biggest change this year is the proposed demolition and replacement at the former Greer High campus. “Demolishing 1954, the old Greer High School, demolishing that and replacing it with the Jay Harley Bonds Career Center on the same site,” Port said, noting the 2002 high-bay shop would remain while most of the older building would be replaced because renovation costs approach replacement thresholds.

Board members asked why the district moved from a previously cited $10 million scope to a higher replacement estimate. Port and Dr. Royster explained the earlier $10 million figure described a limited cosmetic and administrative renovation; addressing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life-safety systems would push renovation costs to more than half the cost of replacement, so staff recommend building anew to gain longevity and a better program layout.

The plan accelerates the Donaldson Career Center (projected occupancy 2029) and aligns West Greenville’s timeline with Donaldson (now proposed for 2031), a shift staff said would reduce overall costs. Port also outlined other near-term investments: LED stadium lighting upgrades, extended car-rider loops at five schools to reduce traffic, and stadium seating renovations.

Security and equipment upgrades are included. Dr. Royster described a $6 million ask for BDA (bidirectional amplifier) radio systems to improve in-building public-safety radio coverage, funded with a proposed transfer from fund balance so installations can proceed quickly. Port and Robin (finance staff) also flagged robotic sweepers being rolled out at several schools and a planned replacement schedule for those units.

Robin told the board the CIP recommendation is within the district’s current bond funding structure and said there is no anticipated millage increase. The administration also proposed transferring $33,000,847 from unassigned general fund balance to the building fund to accomplish the recommended changes.

The presentation concluded with staff fielding questions about start dates, phasing construction while programs remain active, and how the district will manage design and programming work to reduce construction disruptions. The board did not take a formal vote during the session; staff said they will provide detailed schedules and packet materials identified in the briefing for follow-up.

What’s next: staff will supply a packet with project-by-year schedules and locations, answer which projects are currently under construction and provide additional cost details as requested by board members.