Pender County Board approves teacher pay letter, vendor contracts and capital purchases

The Pender County Board of Education on a single evening approved a letter urging state legislators to increase teacher pay and voted to award several vendor contracts and capital purchases, including on‑call architectural services, commissioning services for the new K–8 and a pre‑K modular classroom for South Topsail Elementary.

The actions matter because they commit district funds and use bond, E‑Rate and routine procurement processes to support construction, technology and student services, while the pay letter expresses the board's legislative priorities to state lawmakers.

Board members voted to approve the text of a letter supporting teacher pay raises to be sent to state leaders, including Senate leader Phil Berger and Speaker Dustin H. Clary (as identified by the board). Board member Hall moved approval and was seconded by board member Spivey; the motion passed. The board instructed staff to send the letter to the four named legislators referenced during the discussion.

On procurement and facilities: the board approved LS3P for on‑call architectural services after a qualifications review; the district will use LS3P for smaller design tasks subject to state law limits that require re‑advertising if a project's estimated fee exceeds $50,000. The motion to approve LS3P was moved and seconded on the floor and passed.

The board also approved…