BURGAW, NC - The Pender County Board of Education met on February 10, 2026, for its regular monthly meeting, taking action on facilities projects, district initiatives, and the 2026–2027 school calendar.
2026–2027 School Calendar Approved
Following public comment and Board discussion, members unanimously approved Option 5 for the 2026–2027 school calendar. The adopted calendar complies with North Carolina calendar law and reflects feedback shared by families and staff during the review process.
Board members acknowledged the community’s engagement on the topic and emphasized the importance of legislative advocacy related to school calendar flexibility moving forward.
Facilities and Capital Projects
The Board approved several facilities-related items, including:
Multiple change orders related to ongoing construction projects, all funded within existing allowances and contingencies with no increase to total contract value.
Pay applications for the J.H. Lea K-8 project, totaling more than $4.4 million in construction progress payments.
Building Automation System (BAS) upgrades at Topsail Annandale and C.F. Pope to replace aging, obsolete systems and improve long-term reliability.
Purchase of a new 175-ton chiller for Topsail Annandale to restore proper cooling capacity and provide system redundancy.
Gutter and downspout replacements at C.F. Pope and C.F. Middle to address drainage concerns.
Approval of a natural gas easement at Surf City Elementary and Surf City Middle as part of the district’s long-term energy transition plan.
Each of these items was approved unanimously.
Playground Proposal Not Approved
The Board considered a proposal for two fully inclusive playgrounds at J.H. Lea K-8, totaling $624,966.81. After discussion regarding cost and procurement details, the motion did not receive a second and therefore failed.
Board members expressed interest in reviewing additional information before reconsidering the item at a future meeting.
Student Support and Operations
Additional items approved unanimously included:
Participation in the REACH Program, a partnership with Novant Telepsychiatry funded through a Duke Endowment grant to provide crisis intervention and mental health training.
A Bus Driver Training Resolution supporting continued workforce development.
Approval to distribute an Aramark Child Nutrition survey to gather student feedback.
Information Updates
The Board received construction updates on the new J.H. Lea K-8 school. The project remains on schedule and within budget.
A presentation was also provided regarding North Carolina’s Tier ranking system and its impact on grant eligibility for Pender County. Board members discussed pursuing a formal resolution related to Tier classification.
Recognitions
The Board recognized:
Sophia Foster of Burgaw Middle School as a finalist for Beginning Teacher of the Year.
Four staff members who completed the NCASBO Treasurers Academy.
Heide Trask High School students who were finalists in the Apple App Design Challenge.
Detailed information on agenda items may be found in the Board Packet and the most recent meeting may be viewed here.
The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held March 10, 2026.