BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will consider approving resolutions authorizing the sale and issuance of an $83.9 million general obligation bond and a $40 million limited obligation bond to finance the construction of Iredell-Statesville Schools’ new Weathers Creek High School.
The board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Iredell County Government Center, 200 S. Center Street in Statesville. The board also will meet at 4 p.m. to discuss the items on the agenda in more detail. Both meetings are open to the public.
Voters approved an $80 million referendum for the new school in March of 2020, but construction costs have risen significantly in the past four-plus years. Some estimates for the project were more than double the original cost estimates. Commissioners balked at the high cost, further delaying the project, but finally agreed in August of 2024 to spend $120 million for the new school.
I-SS officials worked with the general contractor Monteith Construction Corp. to lower the cost to $130 million.
In addition to the $123.9 million in financing, commissioners have agreed to use $10 million from the county’s fund balance for the project.
Last year, county finance officials told the board that it would be more cost effective to sell both bonds at the same time. At that time, officials said doing so would save the county about $500,000.
Weathers Creek High School will be located at 246 Overcash Road in Troutman. I-SS officials said the new school will alleviate overcrowding at Lake Norman High School and South Iredell High School. Both schools are over capacity. Meanwhile, the southern part of the county is experiencing significant residential development, leading to a surge in student numbers.
The new school will have a 1,600-student capacity.
If approved, the school system hopes to break ground around March 2025. The project will operate on an estimated 30-month timeline.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other matters, the board will:
• Consider a request from EMS for approval of a three-year contract with their current billing vendor, EMS MC. The contract specifies EMS MC receives 7.4-percent of revenue, which is unchanged from the current contract.
• Consider a request to call for a public hearing for proposed amendments to Chapters 7.5 and 10.5 of the Iredell County Code of Ordinances.