Update: this version includes further comments from New Hanover County Schools about how it might address other capital needs.

Two segments of the business community – real estate organizations and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce – on Tuesday endorsed the New Hanover County Schools’ proposed $160 million bond issue a day after county commissioners approved putting the funding request before voters in November.
 
The commissioners’ 3-1 vote allows the matter to come before voters on Election Day. While the school district has estimated its real facility needs at about $400 million, it has identified the most crucial improvements, which officials said would be addressed by the $160 million in capital funds voters will be asked about in the referendum.
 
County manager Chris Coudriet estimated that passage of the bond issue would cost property owners an additional 4 cents per $100 of assessed value each year. That amount could decrease slightly over the 20-year repayment term, he said at the commissioners meeting.
 
In a press release Tuesday, the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors (WRAR) and the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern NC (RCASENC) outlined their support for the bond. Group officials said they were concerned about the ability of existing school facilities to accommodate student levels.
 
“As of today, New Hanover County Schools are over capacity by 3,548 students, including elementary, middle and high schools. The district is using 84 modular units to offset the overcrowding,” Jody Wainio, WRAR president, said in the release. 
 
She added that state projections call for an additional 2,000 students in New Hanover County by 2020.
 
“Unfortunately, to date, the county has been blowing past state estimates. The likely more accurate number is 3,000 additional students,” Wainio said in the release.
 
Wainio’s figures come from data New Hanover County Schools superintendent Tim Markley presented at Monday’s commissioners’ meeting.
 
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce board also has passed a resolution in support of the proposed bond.
 
“There are huge needs at our area schools and we need to invest in building and technology improvements so that we are not short-changing students and so Wilmington continues to be an attractive location for business,” board chairman Rickey Godwin said in a release Tuesday. “The chamber board recognizes the seriousness of the issues at the schools and urges the county commissioners and general public to support the proposed bond.”
 
Those priority projects are, according to a news release from school district spokeswoman Valita Quattlebaum: replacement of College Park and Blair elementary schools, construction of a new elementary school in northeastern New Hanover County, renovations to Roland-Grise, Noble, Trask and Myrtle Grove middle schools, additions and renovations to Laney and Hoggard high schools as well as to Wrightsville Beach Elementary School and renovations to a portion of New Hanover High School.
 
Funds would also be used to make districtwide building systems and infrastructure improvements and to improve technology, safety and security at all schools, Quattlebaum said. In an email Tuesday afternoon, she said that those upgrades would include security cameras at all schools, providing infrastructure for Voice Over IP (VOIP), and network switches and routers at all schools.

Quattlebaum was asked how the school district plans to address its other capital needs beyond the $160 million it will reap from the bond issue if voters approve it.

In an email Tuesday afternoon, she wrote, "The 2010-2011 Facility Needs Assessment identified $390 + million in needs. The Board of Education prioritized the top 25 projects from the facility Needs Assessment which totaled approximately $284 million. The School System is dependent upon the County and the State for capital funds. The School System must utilize any annual capital funding we receive (lottery or County funds) to maintain our facilities to the best of our ability until additional capital funding is made available from whatever source for additional projects."  

 
Intern Samantha Santana contributed to this article.