New Hanover Board of Education holds budget town hall

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A bond referendum was just one of many topics discussed during the New Hanover County Board of Education budget town hall on Wednesday evening.

The town hall served as an opportunity for Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes to educate parents about the upcoming bond referendum.

More than $300 million, the referendum includes projects for building or improving several new schools, along with updating dozens of other facilities.

The town hall also gave parents and staff a chance to provide feedback, as the district continues to work on its budget for the next school year.

The budget for the current school year was $310 million, $5 million less than last year.

Barnes said there are challenges the district has to deal with as they work to put their budget together.

“I think the biggest challenge that I see is the fact that the state of North Carolina is 50th in the nation in per-pupil funding,” Barnes said. “It’s also 50th in gross domestic product, the percentage of which is spent on education. I have needs, our students have needs that I am struggling how to serve.”

Staff and parents were asked to leave a post-it note naming what they are most concerned about.

Barnes said their concerns will be taken into consideration as they work on the budget.