Board delays start of employee bonus ad hoc committee until 2026–27 school year

The New Hanover County Board of Education on July 29 voted to delay starting work of an ad hoc committee that would develop an employee bonus proposal, saying the board should wait until district finances are clearer. The delay motion passed 4–3. Board members who supported postponement said the district faces budget uncertainty and has not yet received definitive state and federal budget information; Superintendent staff and some board members warned that starting a committee now could create expectations without a clear funding source. Board member David Perry, who had proposed forming the ad hoc performance bonus committee earlier in the meeting, said the committee’s work was intended to design an approach for future award cycles and that an advisory committee could still research grant or private funding. Supporters of delaying the committee cited county and state budget risks and staff capacity concerns; opponents argued that forming an advisory committee now would allow planning and outreach to potential external funders. After discussion the board voted to delay active committee work until the 2026–27 school year; the vote was recorded as 4 in favor of the delay and 3 opposed.