Pender Commission votes for $3M for school improvement

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) —  The Pender County Commission voted to approve a close to $3 million advance for school design work and land acquisition.

The money will come from a school bond approved by voters, but even though it was a unanimous decision some commissioners are concerned. The commission is in mediation with the school board over money for the upcoming school year.  The school board could potentially sue the county, so commissioners are worried they will have to spend even more money on lawyers and litigation.

“I am trying to be as unbiased as possible and I am trying to separate the two issues,” Commissioner George Brown said. “But like these other two folks on the board I am also concerned about that fund balance.”

If the school board and county do not come up with a resolution by early August, then the school board plans to move forward with a lawsuit.