Brunswick County commissioners approve $349.6 million school bond, set for November general election

Brunswick County commissioners voted to place a $349,600,000 general obligation bond referendum on the November general election ballot, approving a bond package the Board of Education presented to address growth-driven school capacity needs.

The Board of Education requested the county put the measure before voters to fund construction of a new elementary school (targeted for 2028) and a new high school (targeted for 2031), land acquisition and design costs, and countywide facility upgrades. Superintendent Cole said the bond would “add the seats that we need in the North Region, ensuring that students learn in secure classrooms” and reduce reliance on modular classrooms, which he described as weakening safety and student belonging.

Nut graf: The commissioners’ decision clears the way for voters to decide whether to fund school construction and a set of capital improvements that school officials say are driven by approved development and population growth already underway in the county. Supporters warned delays would increase construction costs while opponents and some commissioners urged more time for public education and planning.

School officials presented demographic projections showing sustained enrollment growth in the North Region and use of modular classrooms across multiple campuses. The district told commissioners it is using targeted demographic and capacity studies to place new schools where they would most relieve overcrowding and to address safety issues such as traffic and emergency access at Town Creek. Superintendent Cole said failing to pass the bond could add roughly $21.3 million in construction inflation cost.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about project timing, tax impacts and whether the bond package included funds to harden school buildings for use as emergency shelters. County staff and the district said hardening is not included in the proposed bond and that shelter hardening would be a county responsibility if the Board of Commissioners chose to add it. On the tax impact, county staff presented a phased tax increase estimate that would ultimately total about 5.74 cents per $100 of assessed value when all bond phases were realized, phased across fiscal years as projects come online.

The bond package proposes that about 93% of the total would fund land acquisition, design and construction of the two new schools; the remainder would fund system-wide upgrades such as intercom replacements, athletic facilities and site development. The district also outlined an outreach plan, saying it would seek letters of support from local organizations and conduct bond information sessions.

Commissioner discussion focused heavily on timing: some commissioners and outside communications professionals recommended placing the measure on the November general election ballot to allow a longer public education period; others urged placing it on the earlier primary ballot as requested by the Board of Education. The board ultimately voted to put the bond on the November general election ballot, using the $349.6 million figure “penciled in” for planning and directing staff to return with final resolutions and ballot language in late spring. The board approved the motion by majority vote; one commissioner recorded a “no” solely on timing grounds, not on the bond content itself.

Ending: County staff and school representatives said they will begin outreach and follow the board’s direction to finalize the bond language for adoption in the spring. If approved by voters, the district expects to open a new elementary school in 2028 and a new high school in 2031.