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Board reviews hybrid plan for New Hanover High; phase 1 focuses on security, cafeteria and bus routing
Summary
District staff presented a phased, hybrid plan for New Hanover High School emphasizing perimeter security, a new cafeteria building and bus-drop reconfiguration; committee-level discussion favors a multi-phase approach with phase sequencing tied to funding availability.
District staff walked the board through a multi-phase "hybrid" plan for New Hanover High School that the finance committee recommended for inclusion in the bond package. The committee previously removed a $137 million single-renovation option and instead prioritized a phased approach the committee believes can be funded within the recommended package, subject to county and board approvals.
Under the hybrid concept, phase 1 would construct a new three-story cafeteria building that also houses classrooms, relocate the auto shop, secure vestibules and courtyards to control campus access, and move the bus drop-off from Princess Street to the south side of campus tied to parking behind the tennis courts. The phase is intended to improve campus security and create new classroom and circulation space; later phases would focus on interior renovations, additional connections and further security measures.
Staff and several board members emphasized sequencing: phase 1 is intended to provide replacement space so students can remain on campus while phase 2 renovations occur. Without a new building from phase 1, renovations under phase 2 would be more disruptive because there would be fewer swing spaces to house students during construction. The finance committee discussed whether all hybrid phases should be included in the bond or whether later phases should be funded by other sources; committee members said including all phases in a single bond package could exceed county debt limits.
Board members asked whether phase 1 would increase student capacity or primarily reconfigure existing space; staff said the capacity impact depends on how quickly subsequent phases are funded and implemented and that some capacity gains would be modest without follow-on phases. Board members also discussed coordinating any large renovation program with philanthropic or county partners so that projects beyond phase 1 could move forward without pushing the district over a debt threshold.
No formal board vote on the hybrid model occurred during the work session; committee members indicated they will present a motion for board consideration at the upcoming agenda-review and October regular meeting.
