School bond money already being spent

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s been a couple months now since voters approved a $160-million school bond in New Hanover County. So when does that money start going to our schools and what’s first on the list?

That money is heading to New Hanover County Schools for everything from repairs to out and out replacement.

“These are real needs and they are the highest priority needs of our district right now,” said Eddie Anderson with the school system.

Their biggest project is building a brand new elementary school, a project that essentially began in 2014. Two other elementary schools will be completely renovated starting in 2016, and four middle schools will be renovated starting in 2015.

“New floors new painting new ceiling new lights so when you walk into those schools you will know your bond dollars have been spent,” Anderson said. “A lot of these buildings are 30, 40, 50, years old and classrooms are not the same as they were 50 years ago and the technology and the safety and security are a big component of that.”

The high schools will be renovated too. Hoggard, Laney, and New Hanover all have projects expected to begin this year.

Those projects are expected to be completed between 2018 and 2019.