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GREENSBORO — Some residents want to see better treatment of black students and black contractors by Guilford County Schools before they fund more construction projects.

On the eve of today's election, black members of the Guilford County Board of Education asked voters to oppose the $457 million school bonds package on the ballot. Board member Deena Hayes cited the poor academic performance of black students and the low participation rates of black contractors — about 3 percent — in the previous $500 million in construction bonds as the reasons for their opposition.

"Opposing school bonds has been a civil rights strategy for a long time, and we're employing it today," Hayes said.

Black students in Guilford County Schools top the list of high school dropouts, out-of-school suspensions and special education classes for the behaviorally and emotionally delayed.

Last year, 46.4 percent of the end-of-grade reading and math scores among black students in grades three through eight were passing. That compares with 81.3 percent of the scores among white students, according to state figures.

"We believe that it is imperative that this community hold this district accountable to our children and remove barriers to equitable access to a quality education," Hayes said at a Monday news conference in front of the district's central office. "Due to the deplorable educational outcomes of African American students and the unacceptable participation rate of our African American contractors, we will not be supporting the Guilford County school bond."

Hayes said she was looking forward to an upcoming district report on the performance of minority students that was requested by the school board a few months ago.

Board member Amos Quick attended the conference along with 11 other contractors and concerned residents. Walter Childs, the school board's third black member, was unable to attend because of a previous commitment.

Those present at the news conference said the district has a history of building new schools but not fulfilling promises on closing the achievement gap between white and minority students.

"We were talked into voting for the last bond," said Suzanne Plihcik, a member of the Undoing Racism in Guilford County.

Kris Cooke, a board member who supports the bonds, said those concerned about the achievement gaps should target the inadequate amounts of county, state and federal funds the district receives, not construction money.

"We're pecking away at it slowly but surely," Cooke said. "The gap was made over a long period of time and it's going to take time to close it."

Other groups with membership from the black community have announced their opposition to the bonds, which are expected to pay for the building or renovation of 18 schools. Those groups include the Black Contractors Guild of Greensboro, Undoing Racism in Guilford County and the George Simkins PAC.

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