# Board of Education Meeting Stream - November 9, 2026

Pender County Schools Board of Education meeting, November 9, 2026. The board received a construction update on the JH Lee K–8 project: substantial completion is scheduled for May 2027, with final completion planned for July. The project team forecast approximately $44.6 million in overall funds remaining, or about $44.1 million if roughly $500,000 in unresolved library-related soft costs is included. The team reported that owner contingency was 46% used and that about $54,000 would return to it after an on-site driveway tie-in was covered by another contract. The board also considered JH Lee change orders; a motion and second were made, but the transcript does not capture the vote result. For the proposed conversion of Topsail Middle School, updated pricing was described as roughly $40 million, down about $10 million from an initial estimate just over $50 million, but still above the previously discussed $30 million target. No final spending decision was made; board members arranged an on-site walkthrough and further review before deciding how much scope to authorize. The board approved a pilot redesign of the Topsail High School media center, including flexible furniture and collaborative-use spaces; no cost was stated.

The board discussed school meal prices, but made no pricing decision; the finance officer recommended returning with further analysis and cautioned that raising prices could affect participation and revenue. It also approved the 2027–28 school calendar, selecting option five with a change to provide three workdays at the end of the year. Other business included accepting and swearing in Jason Jordan to fill a board vacancy, a first reading of a proposed revision to policy 6140, and public comment opposing proposed elementary-school redistricting. No new competitive solicitation or vendor award was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 09, 2026

### Sources
- [Board of Education Meeting Stream - November 9, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twc4zaGvxxI) - Pender County Schools