Dare County commissioners approved a set of budget amendments on Dec. 1 that included creating the budget entry for Dare Early College’s debt service after the debt issuance, transferring a $5,000,000 community development housing appropriation to the disaster recovery storm fund, and restoring accounting for debris removal.

Chief Financial Officer Matt explained the early college amendment is a mechanical action to match the final amortization table now that the county has issued the debt. “The early college debt is actually funded through the capital investment fund... the funding comes from sales tax revenue,” he told commissioners, adding lottery revenue also contributes to school funding.

Earlier in the meeting, Cassie Mount, the Early College principal, presented the school’s mission and student supports, and announced the adopted mascot name, the Dare Early College Mariners. Mount described academic screening three times a year, use of a 30-minute intervention block (office hours) for targeted remediation and coordination with College of The Albemarle liaison John Hunting to map students’ college-course sequences.

During public comment and follow-up questions, resident Charlie Parker had asked whether state funds were available to offset the early college debt service; staff clarified the debt service will be paid from restricted sales-tax-backed capital funds and not via the unsettled state budget. The board adopted the three budget amendments unanimously.

The early college remains in early implementation: construction is underway and internal processes for assessments and interventions are in place, and the board asked staff to continue reporting on program progress and fiscal impacts.