New Hanover School expansion

The New Hanover Board of Education approved putting a referendum on a spring ballot concerning a $2.1 million expansion plan to the New Hanover School. Architect Scott England addressed the board on Thursday night.

England said that the project specifications must be submitted to the State Board of Education soon. He stated that the board needed to refine the checklist required for the schematics in order for the engineer to develop a site plan. "We have to receive approval before we have a referendum."

" If we don't submit soon we won't make it for April 18. The Board has to approve this. The Department of Education is looking for educational adequacy," the architect said.

The Board unanimously approved the measure. England outlined the expansion plan saying that if the referendum is approved the school would have a pre-kindergarten t room, a kindergarten room and boys/girls bathroom facilities, a child-study team area and several general class rooms.

"We're also renovating the existing kitchen," England added. England said that the state would have to first approve the design plans which would take several months and that the bidding and construction process would require about six to seven months more. The referendum question would face voters on April 18.