Advocacy Updates

AdvoCats Advocating for NHHS

Updates brought to you by AdvoCats Founders, Allison and Kassie

NHHS Renovations

November 18 Meeting Update:

New Hanover Schools officially asked the County to proceed with getting a $320.50 million bond approved to be included on the ballot in Nov 2026. The County Manager made clear if the bond is included on the ballot and passed by the voters, the County won’t be able to issue another school bond for 10-12 years. There was ample conversation by Commissioners and School Board that NHHS needs more than the $60 million included in the Bond proposal, but the source of future funding wasn’t resolved. Commissioner Scalise aptly mentioned that there was a NHHS facilities study done over 25 years ago and nothing became of it and it was these elected officials making sure that doesn’t happen again.

Current State of Funding:

The Board unanimously on the hybrid four phase approach of the master plan for NHHS.
Total approximate cost is $195M - $230M. The estimates provided in the study and outlined below are adjusted for the time value of money with the initial understanding that each phase will be completed in consecutive order.

Phase 1 - Perimeter Security and New Construction: Approx. $65M
Phase 2 - Main building renovation: Approx. $75M
Phase 3 - Catwalk and Brogden classrooms: Approx. $56M
Phase 4 - George West Renovations and 13th & Ann Athletic Facilities: Approx. $42M

In order to pay for these phases, the Board is currently exploring a school bond which would be voted on county-wide in 2026. Included is $65 million in funding for the first phase of the hybrid approach. At the same time, the School Board is in ongoing discussions with the County Commissioners and the New Hanover County Endowment to fund additional phases.

Link to NHHS Master Plan: (working on getting this in a linkable format)

Board of Education Meeting

October 7th Summary:

In discussing whether to ask the County Commissioners to approve a bond, Board Member David Perry expressed interest in further exploring the possibility of constructing a new high school on the current Johnson Pre-K site, rather than proceeding with a phased renovation plan. Further discussion indicated that this option would involve significant challenges and costs. The land previously sold to the DOT would need to be repurchased—an expensive process given their plans for a connecting railroad. Additional parcels owned by various property owners would also be required, and excavation work would be necessary to assess the site’s suitability. Furthermore, the existing Pre-K building currently in use would need to be either demolished or extensively renovated.

The Board voted there was no time to explore this option because there are only a few more weeks before the deadline to present that formalized bond request to the County Manager and Commissioners.

Ms. Barnhart requested to put NHHS and Trask renovations at the top two priorities of the bond. Pat Bradford wanted to keep the elementary schools at the top for reasons that were disputed but noted. The priority list wasn’t established or voted on.

Mr. Perry suggested that the NHHS renovation project be presented as a standalone bond, given the scope and cost of the work needed. However, Chair Melissa Mason explained that because the bond would require county-wide approval, it would be unlikely to pass if it only addressed one school’s needs.

A discussion ensued about how much debt the county can take on for the bond and how often they can take on debt.

Ms. Barnhart moved that the Board approve the recommendation of the Capital Bond and Finance Committee to be presented to the County Commissioners and it was approved 5-1 with Mr. Perry dissenting.