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Greater Wilmington Chamber backs $320 million schools bond; public speakers urge more transparency and caution
Summary
The Wilmington Chamber read a resolution urging commissioners to place a $320 million New Hanover school bond on the 2026 ballot; public commenters alternately urged support for facilities investment and pressed the board for clearer timelines, better outreach and fiscal transparency.
Natalie English, president and CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber, read a board-of-directors resolution asking the New Hanover County Commission to put a $320 million school bond on the November 2026 ballot and pledging chamber support for voter education and grassroots campaigning.
The resolution, read into the record, said district staff had identified more than $600 million in capital needs and that the schools’ budget and capital finance committee recommended a bond request that “falls just above the county’s debt capacity,” leading the board to submit a $320,000,000 request to the county commission. English added the chamber’s polling found “more than 70% of likely voters would support a school bond of $300,000,000.”
Public commenters responding to the bond request urged differing approaches. Christina Mercer, a retired teacher, urged robust public outreach and cautioned that a bond alone may not address systemic facility issues without clear cost and priority communication. She told the board that if a bond passes, the district still “may be rearranging the deck chairs” unless the public understands the scope of repairs and new construction.
Several speakers raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the lead-up to a potential bond question. Britney LaRue said the district needs “transparent timelines, clear accountability, and a renewed commitment” before asking voters for major investment. Others, including the League of Women Voters representative Barbara Hart Anderson, urged the board to support fully funded public education and to put materials into the record and minutes.
Board members acknowledged the scale of the facilities gap and noted the district’s limited county debt capacity. No final bond decision was made by the board at the meeting; the Chamber’s resolution was accepted as public comment and will inform the district’s ongoing coordination with the county commission and outreach plans.
