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HIGH POINT — Officials believe Guilford County Schools needs to spend as much as $1.2 billion over the next decade to upgrade existing schools and accommodate future enrollment growth.

But it could be years before taxpayers can stomach paying for another round of construction. Voters authorized three bond programs totaling $957 million since 2000, all before the onset of a crippling economic recession.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any bonds for a good long time,” said Darlene Garrett, member of the Board of Education. “I just don’t see that happening.”

The board discussed early proposals for addressing those challenges Saturday during its fall retreat in High Point. The daylong meeting included updates on a new busing schedule, black male student achievement, and budget projections for 2012-13.

Members learned that one-fourth of the $1.2 billion would pay for new schools and classroom additions, with the bulk going toward renovations.

The district expects to add 6,300 students over the next 10 years. That growth would cause a shortage of about 4,000 classroom seats, even after the district completes its 2008 bond program.

Officials suggested the district:

* Expand Sedgefield, Millis Road, Madison, Kirkman Park, and Oak View elementary schools; rebuild Morehead and Hunter; and build a total of two new elementary schools in the northern and western regions.

* Expand Northeast, Mendenhall and Southeast middle schools; rebuild Guilford; and build a new middle school in the airport area.

* Renovate Northeast, High Point Central, Grimsley and Western high schools.

“This is not an approved plan,” said Andy LaRowe, the district’s chief operations officer. “It’s truly a concept and an idea that came out of this data.”

The board won’t begin serious discussions about future large-scale construction projects until it completes the $457 million bond program approved by voters in 2008.

However, the board suggested meeting with the Board of Commissioners over the next nine months to discuss the district’s long-term needs. The board also will hear a presentation Thursday about what maintenance projects the district plans to complete this year.

The school board should keep residents informed of the district’s needs, Chairman Alan Duncan said. “There will come a time when we have to do that,” he said about future bonds. “I still want to have that optimism because our citizens have given it to us in the past.”

In other business, the board heard about but did not discuss a preliminary budget forecast for the 2012-13 school year. Sharon Ozment, chief financial officer, said the system could face a shortfall of $12.4 million, even after it rolls over $10.7 million saved during the current fiscal year. The deficit does not factor in the loss of state funding for pre-kindergarten.

The board learned the district expects to save $1 million this year from a new busing system that reduced the vehicle fleet by 23 buses.

Jeff Harris, transportation director, also shared an early proposal to partner with a company to produce biodiesel for buses using waste vegetable oil. The initiative could trim fuel costs and provide learning opportunities for high school students, Harris said.

Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said staff will continue to research the proposal and update the board. “This is something intriguing to us so we’re going to continue to pursue it,” he said.

Contact Morgan Josey Glover at 373-7078 or morgan.josey@news-record.com