Commissioners introduce $320.5 million school bond order, set June 1 public hearing

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on May 18 introduced a bond order that would authorize up to $320,525,000 in general obligation bonds to fund capital projects for the county's public schools and set a public hearing on the draft for June 1, 2026.

Eric Credle, the county finance staff presenter, said the projects expected to be funded with bond proceeds include phase one of the master plan at New Hanover High School, a new Trask Middle School, replacement work for Mary C. Williams and River Lights, a rebuild of Pine Valley Elementary, an addition to Porters Neck Elementary and district-wide equipment replacements and improvements. Credle told the board the statement of disclosure will note an inspected increase to the property tax rate of 1.75 cents per $100 of assessed value if the bonds are approved by voters.

The presentation noted that the board previously authorized findings of fact, staff published notice in the Star News and an application was filed with the Local Government Commission. Credle said the bond order formalizes the amount of issuance, affirms a tax levy sufficient to insure repayment, confirms a sworn statement of debt has been filed and notes that the bond order would take effect only if approved by voters in a November referendum.

Commissioners commended the finance team and school partners for work on the package. Commissioner Walker and Commissioner Zapple described the projects as meeting the district's most critical needs; Walker said conversations continue about Isaac Barrett Early College, which did not make the bond list. A two-part motion to acknowledge the bond order and adopt a resolution setting the June 1 public hearing was seconded and approved by the board.

Next steps outlined by staff included publishing the formal notice of the June 1 public hearing on or before May 25, 2026, filing the sworn statement of debt and disclosure with the clerk to the board and reconsideration of the bond order and referendum resolution after the June 1 hearing. The board did not adopt the bond order itself on May 18; it introduced the draft and set the public hearing as a required step in the referendum process.