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County advances $320.5 million school bond referendum to fall ballot
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Summary
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted April 20 to advance a $320.5 million general-obligation bond referendum for K–12 capital projects, including a new Trask Middle School and major renovations at New Hanover High School; staff said the bonds would be issued in three tranches and require voter approval this fall.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted April 20 to advance a $320,500,000 general-obligation bond referendum for county schools, directing staff to publish required notices and file an application with the Local Government Commission.
County finance staff described the package as a multi-project program that would be split into three debt issuances, beginning with an estimated $150 million tranche. The package includes about $60 million to complete phase I of New Hanover High School, nearly $95 million to build a new Trask Middle School with capacity for about 1,000 students, roughly $54 million for a new River Lights elementary school to replace Mary C. Williams School, a $56 million replacement for Pine Valley Elementary, a $7.6 million eight-classroom expansion at Porters Neck Elementary, $40 million in districtwide improvements (including HVAC and safety upgrades), and $8.2 million for program management and contingency.
“General-obligation bonds are backed by the full faith of the county and, under North Carolina law, require voter approval,” said Eric, a county staff member leading the presentation. He said staff would file the LGC application on May 4, introduce a formal bond order at the board’s May 18 meeting and hold a public hearing on June 1. A disclosure statement listing the county’s final tax-rate estimate to repay the bonds will be posted online; an earlier estimate provided to the board placed the amount at about 1.75¢ per $100 of assessed value, subject to refinement.
Superintendent Bob Barnes accompanied the presentation and answered project-specific questions. Commissioners asked about phasing and timing; staff said the three issuances are expected to play out over several years, with the second issuance projected two to three years after the first and the final tranche following that schedule. Construction timelines for individual schools could range across the multi‑year program.
Commissioner Zappel praised the package and said the public would have an opportunity to weigh in at the scheduled hearings. The board voted to approve the resolutions that begin the statutory process to place the bond question on the November ballot.
If voters approve the referendum, the county and school district would proceed with the planned bond issuances and project delivery schedule as outlined in subsequent disclosures and bond orders, including issuance dates subject to LGC approval.
