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Brunswick County schools present $409.8 million bond proposal; commissioners table ballot decision for more review
Summary
Brunswick County Schools asked commissioners to place a $409,818,663 bond referendum on the 2026 ballot to add school capacity and harden facilities; after lengthy questions about costs, timing and voter turnout the board voted to table the decision and asked staff for updated figures within two weeks.
Brunswick County commissioners on Sept. 15 heard a detailed presentation from Brunswick County Schools on a proposed $409,818,663 bond referendum intended to add elementary and secondary capacity, harden an elementary school to serve as a storm shelter and invest in classroom and pre-K needs.
The school system’s representative said building new schools is “critical due to growth demands and loss of capacity in our schools,” and presented a plan that includes a 750‑student elementary (Jackie’s Creek), a second elementary in the northern region, a new high school and $19 million in additional costs to build the first elementary as a hardened shelter. The presentation identified land purchases under contract and under option totalling about $10 million for the proposed sites and said the school system is not eligible for state lottery construction grants under current formulas.
The proposal prompted sustained questioning from commissioners about the cost assumptions, construction‑cost per square foot, site development costs, shelter requirements and the campaign timeline needed to place a bond on a ballot. Architect Doug Sherwood, who has worked with the district, explained technical constraints of designing a portion of a school to meet shelter (essential‑facility) standards, saying a hardened portion “would need to be 2 separate buildings as far as the structure goes” unless fully designed as a sheltered facility.
Commissioners repeatedly expressed concern about the total price tag and about whether the bond would fare better on a March primary ballot or the higher‑turnout general election. Several commissioners said turnout is much higher in the general election and favored that timing, while others said a spring ballot could be viable if a robust public education campaign is in place. The school representative described outreach plans to community groups and churches but said the district cannot legally campaign in favor of the bond and that forming an independent bond committee would require time that is not currently available.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to table the item and request updated materials; the motion passed. The board directed school staff to return with revised figures and additional public‑facing information within approximately two weeks. Commissioners also signaled a preference among several members for placing the measure on the general election ballot rather than the March primary, but did not adopt a final decision on timing at the meeting.
Why it matters: Brunswick County is among the fastest‑growing counties in the state; several northern elementary schools are operating above design capacity and the school system projects continued enrollment growth tied to recent and planned housing development. The bond would be a major capital measure with long‑term fiscal implications for county taxpayers.
What happens next: The school board and county staff will return updated cost breakdowns and supplemental materials to the commissioners for a follow‑up decision. Commissioners asked for a version of the bond package with the shelter hardening removed so they can see a lower‑cost option for voters.
