BURGAW, NC - The Pender County Board of Education met Tuesday, September 1, and approved several items related to district planning, construction, student services, and school operations.
The Board approved the consent agenda, which included previous meeting minutes, second readings of policy updates, the Coastal Horizons MOU for school-based therapy, the School Mental Health Plan, the CAP MOU with Cape Fear Community College, and the Beginning Teacher Support Program Plan.
Board members also approved revisions to the district’s Academically or Intellectually Gifted Plan for the 2026–2027 school year. The revisions were made following feedback from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The updates are intended to clarify identification pathways, strengthen services for gifted students, support teachers, create an AIG Parent Advisory Group, and improve the use of student data for program review.
Lisa Nowlin presented the 2026–2027 State Budget for Pender County Schools. The budget establishes the district’s State Public School Fund allocations for the year and includes state-funded positions and expenditures across instructional and operational areas. The Board approved the budget resolution.
The Board also approved plans for the internal renovation of the existing Topsail Middle School campus. The approval focused on the building design, not the final site plan. The proposed design organizes the campus into five main areas: administration, academics, sports, physical education, and Career and Technical Education. Board members noted that additional work is still needed on the site plan.
A design-build agreement with Bordeaux Construction Company for the Topsail Middle School renovation project was also approved. The agreement includes design services as part of the project cost. Construction is currently expected to begin in June 2027, with the schedule and final cost to be refined during preconstruction. The current estimated project budget is up to $30 million.
Several J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle Schools project items were approved. The Board approved change orders that will be funded through existing owner or design-build contingencies within the guaranteed maximum price, with no increase to the overall contract value. The Board also approved MBP Pay Application No. 12 in the amount of $18,924 for project management services and Bordeaux Construction Company Pay Application No. 26 in the amount of $3,925,763.16 for construction work through August 31.
The Board approved covered walkway projects for Surf City Elementary/Middle School and Cape Fear Elementary/Middle School. The Surf City project is estimated at $265,625, and the Cape Fear project is estimated at $180,000. Both projects are intended to provide weather-protected access during parent drop-off and pick-up, improve pedestrian safety, and support traffic flow during arrival and dismissal. Both projects will be funded through the 2026–2027 CIP Fund 4.
The Board also approved permanent utility easements requested by the Town of Surf City for the Surf City Elementary/Middle School property. The easements formalize access for inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, and future expansion of existing water and sewer infrastructure, including the lift station. Pender County Schools will continue to be able to use the easement areas as long as access to the utilities is not obstructed.
At the close of the meeting, Board members thanked staff for their work preparing schools for the start of the year. Beth Burns also reflected on her eight years of service on the Board of Education and thanked Board members and district staff as she prepares to serve on the Pender County Board of Commissioners.