Schools get boost in New Hanover, Pender, not in Bladen

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Voters in New Hanover and Pender counties have given a big boost to local schools by approving bond referenda, but Bladen County residents gave a resounding no to raising taxes for schools.

The $160 million New Hanover County Schools bond passed with 64 percent of the vote. The money will go toward capital projects and technology and security upgrades.

There will be similar upgrades in Pender County, where voters passed a $75 million schools bond 57-43.

But in Bladen County, voters said no for a second time this year to raising the sales tax a quarter penny. The measure failed 71-29. It also failed by a similarly huge margin during May’s primary. Voters also voted against a similar measure in 2010.