The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce on behalf of its board publicly endorsed New Hanover County Schools’ request for a $320 million bond to be placed on the November 2026 ballot. Natalie English, the Chamber’s president and CEO, read a resolution backing the request and committing Chamber resources to education outreach and an advocacy campaign.

English said district staff had identified roughly $600 million in capital needs and that the budget and capital finance committee recommended a list that slightly exceeded county debt capacity; the district and county staff therefore asked the county commission to place a $320 million bond on the 2026 ballot. English said the Chamber’s polling showed “more than 70% of likely voters would support a school bond of $300,000,000.”

Public comment that followed included parents, retirees and community groups. Some commenters urged vigorous public education about the needs and transparent project timelines; others warned that early messaging from elected board members risks appearing political during a campaign period. Christina Mercer, a retired teacher, said the district needs a “huge media campaign” and urged the board to show the public the specific facilities that would be repaired or rebuilt.

Board members received the public comments but took no formal bond vote at the meeting. The Chamber’s statement will be treated as community support that district and county staff can reference as they work with the county commission to place a bond on the ballot.