Impasse declared in Pender school money fight

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The mediator handling the budget dispute between the Pender County Commission and Pender County School Board has declared an impasse.

The two sides were supposed to reach a deal to settle their disagreement about funding for the school district by Saturday, but they did not. The school board had voted Thursday night to extend the mediation window, but commissioners decided not to hold a planned emergency meeting Friday to do the same thing.

Mediator Willis P. Whichard declared the impasse Saturday night. By law, he has notified Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Allen Cobb and the chairs of the two boards and the public.

The situation could soon be headed to court.