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Pender County board directs superintendent to prepare school construction bond request
Summary
The Pender County Board of Education unanimously directed the superintendent to prepare a school construction bond package for county commissioners and voters, citing capacity needs and a recent growth study; staff noted the earliest practical bond election year is 2028 and multiple approvals will be required.
The Pender County Board of Education voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Dr. Jamal Breedlove and his staff to prepare a comprehensive school construction bond request to present to the Pender County Board of Commissioners and, ultimately, to county voters. The motion was made by Miss Burns and seconded; the board recorded the approval as unanimous.
Why it matters: Board members said recent population growth and capacity needs — especially on the county’s east side — require early planning for capital projects, including new seats and infrastructure. Board members cited an earlier growth study commissioned by the district as the evidentiary basis for moving from planning to action.
What the board approved and next steps: The board’s direction asks the superintendent to assemble a prioritized list of capital needs and return with a proposed bond package. Staff told the board this is the first of several required approvals: the local board must define capital needs, the county commissioners must authorize placement of the bond on a ballot, the Local Government Commission may need to review financing, and voters must ultimately approve any bond. Staff said reimbursement steps (for example, for DOT‑related road work) are a separate administrative process.
Board members and staff emphasized the timeline will be multi‑year. District staff said the growth study has already been completed and that the next practical bond election cycle would be 2028, an even‑numbered year. "It gives everyone enough runway to begin the thoughtful planning and processing," a board member said.
Votes at a glance: The board’s motion to direct the superintendent to prepare a bond request passed unanimously. The transcript recorded the vote as "I" from all members present; individual roll‑call votes were not specified in the record.
What remains unresolved: The board did not adopt a dollar amount, list of specific projects, or a draft bond question; staff will return with those details and recommended priorities for board review.
