New Hanover County Schools committee narrows bond language, sets Local Government Commission deadlines

The New Hanover County Schools bond subcommittee on Oct. 17 reviewed a proposed $320 million general obligation bond package, confirmed Local Government Commission filing dates and heard updated cost estimates showing steep increases for planned elementary-school rebuilds.

The committee’s chair, Pat Bradford, said the group is preparing an LGC application and that the county commissioners will take their first formal action on April 6, and the final application to the Local Government Commission is scheduled for April 19. “April 6 is your first county commission action, and April 19 is the final application that goes into the local government commission,” Bradford said.

The discussion centered on the package of capital projects the committee previously recommended to the board and to the county, including: New Hanover High School Phase 1; a replacement middle school for Trask on the Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) campus with the existing Trask building repurposed for Laney High School; a new Riverlights Elementary School to replace Mary C. Williams; an on-site replacement of Pine Valley Elementary; an 8-classroom addition at a different elementary school to address immediate overcrowding; and a $40 million districtwide allocation for infrastructure (HVAC, safety and technology).

Why it matters: the committee must present a bond question and summary to the county…