The New Hanover County Democratic and Republican parties are jointly backing the $320.5 million New Hanover County Schools bond referendum that will appear on the November ballot. 

In a joint statement, Jill Hopman, chair of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, and John Hinnant, chair of the New Hanover County Republican Party, urged taxpayers to vote for the bond. 

"Every county has moments that call for collaboration, regardless of political affiliation, to address what matters most. This is one of those moments," they wrote. "Our students need this bond. Our families expect it. And our community requires it. It reflects months of bipartisan work, thoughtful financial planning, and a shared commitment to transparency and accountability. We believe this proposal represents a responsible investment in our students, our taxpayers, and the future of New Hanover County.”

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and the New Hanover County Board of Education agreed last November to pursue a general obligation bond to fund improvements to New Hanover County school facilities. 

In May, the New Hanover Community Endowment committed to a $116 million grant, distributed over 10 years, to support bond capital projects, contingent on voter approval of the bond. New Hanover County officials announced that, with the endowment grant, the estimated property tax rate increase required would drop from 1.75 cents per $100 to one-half cent per $100. 

"Republicans believe government should be accountable, transparent and focused on its core responsibilities,” Hinnant said in the release. “As a member of the committee, we've seen meaningful improvements in financial oversight, long-term planning and communication between the school district and county government. After reviewing the facts, we believe this bond represents a responsible investment in essential public infrastructure while recognizing the New Hanover Community Endowment’s commitment to reduce the burden on local taxpayers. We encourage voters to join us in supporting this referendum.”

Major projects in the bond include Phase 1 of New Hanover High School’s master plan, the construction of a new 1,000-student Trask Middle School, a new 650-student Pine Valley Elementary and a new 650-student Riverlights Elementary School, as well as district-wide improvements to safety and HVAC infrastructure. 

Despite declining enrollment, some school facilities are overcrowded and in need of repairs. According to the district, the average age of a New Hanover County school building is 47, and nine schools are over 70 years old.

“The bond is about refreshing our infrastructure, not for the next couple of years, but for the next several decades,” Christopher Barnes, superintendent of New Hanover County Schools, told the Business Journal in August. “What we’re wanting to do is to move from being reactive to emerging needs to being proactive for what’s happening in the future.”

If passed, the bond would be the single largest bond referendum approved by county voters. 

“Every child, no matter their zip code, deserves a safe, modern place to learn. Too many of our students are in facilities that fall short of that standard, and this referendum is how we start to fix it,” Hopman stated in the release. “The planning was rigorous, the oversight is real, and the Endowment partnership makes this a fiscally responsible path forward. Democrats believe that public education offers every family in New Hanover County a better and brighter future. Our community is ready for this investment, and we are proud to support it.”

If approved, the bond funds would be released in three tranches over seven years, starting in fiscal year 2026-27 with $150 million, then $100 million in fiscal year 2028-29, and the last tranche of $70 million in fiscal year 2031-32. Each bond series will be paid off in 20 years, according to county officials.