The New Hanover County Schools Board of Education Finance Capital Bond Committee convened on September 18, 2025, to discuss critical financial strategies and design efficiencies for upcoming school projects. The meeting focused on addressing concerns related to funding and design costs associated with new school constructions.

The session began with a call for a united approach to securing funding from the endowment, which is a key financial pillar for the schools. A committee member emphasized the need for a collective effort to advocate for the endowment's support, stating, “We need to go as a united front to the endowment and say, guys, this is what you need to do.” This sentiment highlighted the importance of collaboration among committee members to ensure that funding commitments are met.

Following this discussion, the committee shifted its focus to the design costs of two new schools, Riverlights and Pine Valley. A member raised a question regarding the potential for cost savings through the use of a unified design approach, referencing the existing design of Porter's Neck Elementary School. The member suggested that utilizing this established design could save over six million dollars in design fees.

In response, the committee acknowledged that while there are approved construction drawings for the new schools, the idea of standardizing designs across the district could enhance both cost efficiency and brand consistency. The discussion included considerations of current construction costs and the necessity of factoring in cost escalations that have been observed in recent projects.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore these design efficiencies and to continue advocating for necessary funding. The committee recognized the importance of addressing these financial and design challenges to ensure the successful development of New Hanover County's educational infrastructure.