Joint New Hanover committee cites strong polling, outlines $320M bond timeline and public hearings

A joint committee of New Hanover County and New Hanover County Schools reviewed recent polling and presentation materials Tuesday as it moved toward placing a school bond before voters.

Natalie English, who presented the polling, said the team "polled 300 likely New Hanover County voters" and that asking about a $300,000,000 bond produced "over 70%" support. She said she will share the results with her board and seek a resolution backing a county ask of $320,000,000 for a 2026 bond and that the chamber could lead a business-and-community campaign in support of the measure.

Committee members emphasized steps to preserve fiscal discipline. "We need to make decisions that are fiscally responsible, that are well thought out and systematic," one member said while urging care about the total ask. Staff said the bond package includes earmarks for multiple priorities and that the $320 million figure remains under discussion.

Staff explained how funds would be categorized on a newly created interactive map: yellow for building projects, red for safety and security work, blue for HVAC, and green for technology. A staff member said adding a legend would help the public interpret the map.

Officials outlined the next procedural steps. The Local Government Commission (LGC) application is scheduled to be submitted on April 19, 2026; public hearings are set for May 18 and June 1, 2026, and the LGC will provide feedback during the roughly six-week review window. Legal staff and county officials said final LGC approval follows the voter referendum process.

The committee also heard that certain technical analyses are pending. An HVAC study will be wrapping up in January with the final report due in March, according to staff; members requested a briefing in February on that work.

Committee members discussed how to present the bond to the public while respecting campaign-law limits on public-employee advocacy. Board and chamber representatives recommended producing educational materials and said that any formal campaign committee would be a separate entity organized under state campaign finance rules.

The committee set its next meeting for Feb. 26 at 12:00 p.m. and adjourned after completing its business.

What happens next: staff will submit the LGC application on April 19, the committee will brief members on the HVAC report in February, and the public hearings will take place May 18 and June 1, 2026.