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School Capital Fund Commission told bond timing is not ideal; schools plan for 2028 bond
Summary
Staff told the School Capital Fund Commission that a general obligation bond for school capital is being deferred to 2028 so both city and Buncombe County schools can complete capacity studies and better time the request; commissioners urged careful planning to address urgent needs meanwhile.
The School Capital Fund Commission heard on a short‑notice meeting that timing is not ideal to pursue a general obligation bond for school capital this year and that both city and Buncombe County schools plan to pursue a bond in 2028 after completing capacity studies. Staff said delaying the bond will give school systems more information to shape a targeted request.
The presenter said the county and city systems are conducting studies — including work with North Carolina State on capacity — that should provide better cost and scope data for a future bond. That information, staff said, will allow design and preconstruction work to produce more accurate estimates and create projects ready to begin quickly if voters approve a 2028 bond.
"While I am disappointed we are unable to do that bond this year, I'd certainly want us to be really serious and strategic in planning something in 2028," Commissioner Kim said, citing elementary replacement needs, roof repairs and security upgrades at multiple schools.
Commissioners and staff emphasized staging design work and preserving contingency funds to address urgent building failures before a bond, noting the commission maintains a contingency in fund 4042 to respond to unanticipated needs across the district's roughly 45 schools. The commission did not take formal action on a bond at the meeting; staff said the systems will return with more data to guide the 2028 request and related project staging.
