Cumberland County Schools’ seven-year repair plan outlines approximately $301 million in school facilities needs, with heating and cooling systems, roofs, and electrical work accounting for the largest shares of the list.
The list includes $90.8 million for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; $65.4 million for roofing; $54.8 million for electrical work; $34.9 million for life safety and accessibility, $26.3 million for plumbing; $15.4 million for grounds and landscaping; $10 million for building repairs, including exterior walls, windows, tile, foundations, and stairs; and $3.6 million for equipment such as walk-in refrigerators, bleachers, and press boxes.
The original seven-year maintenance list totaled $314 million, including about $13 million at locations the district groups under central services, such as its operations campus, Education Resource Center, and maintenance warehouse. But those projects were removed from the list so the $301 million in maintenance projects—funded by the county and a $510 million pledge for school construction and maintenance—went toward campuses serving students.
About $28.8 million in projects are complete, underway, or moving through the funding process. That includes $26.4 million in work that is complete or under construction through previously budgeted capital outlay funds, $2.1 million in fire alarm work assigned to county maintenance funds, and roughly $300,000 being handled through other sources.
The school district’s list of projects also identifies about $21.5 million in repairs the district expects to avoid because campuses have closed, properties have been transferred, or buildings are planned for replacement.
During a joint legislative breakfast September 18, district leaders outlined how the school system plans to prioritize, finance, and complete repairs across its campuses. The update covered projects already addressed, work beginning with county funds, and needs expected to receive the greatest attention.
The repair list is part of a broader facilities-planning process involving school closures and consolidations, replacement schools, new construction, and improvements to buildings that will remain in use.
Roofs and Safety First
Excluding central services projects, the seven-year schedule lists about $49.1 million in school facilities work in its first year. The spreadsheet labels projects by plan year but does not identify corresponding calendar or fiscal years. Some of the largest projects are at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Middle, E. Melvin Honeycutt Elementary, Cape Fear High and Douglas Byrd High.
Luther “Nick” Jeralds has about $6.6 million in first-year work, including $2.9 million for metal roofing and $3.1 million for heating and cooling equipment. The assessment identified rusting roof hardware, weathered seals, and equipment that remained functional but had exceeded its expected useful life. The HVAC work is among the projects the district has since addressed through its existing capital outlay budget.
Honeycutt’s first-year estimate is about $3.1 million, including $2.2 million for metal roofing where leaks had been reported. The list also includes about $521,000 for aging fire alarm systems that the assessment recommended replacing or upgrading to meet current safety standards.
Cape Fear and Douglas Byrd each have about $2.7 million in first-year work. At Cape Fear, the assessment recorded evidence of roof leaks and identified an aging fire alarm system. Douglas Byrd’s list includes roofing materials that had exceeded their expected useful life or were considered at risk of failure because of their age.
New Century International Elementary has another $1.7 million listed in the first year for roofing. Although assessors could not access the roof, the assessment notes that leaks had been reported in several places.
The schedule can change as equipment fails or repairs become more urgent. Costs can also change as engineers verify the work and contractors submit bids. The schedule identifies the original intended order of projects, rather than guaranteeing construction prices or completion dates.
The Biggest Repair Bills
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning account for about $90.8 million in the school facilities list, making HVAC the largest category. That includes heating and cooling equipment, packaged units and the controls used to operate the systems.
Roofing follows at $65.4 million, while electrical work totals $54.8 million. The electrical category covers wiring, electrical service and distribution, lighting, generators, and other systems.
Life safety and accessibility work accounts for $34.9 million, covering fire alarm systems, elevators and lifts, fencing, security equipment, and communication systems.
The list includes another $26.3 million for plumbing, $15.4 million for grounds and landscaping, $10 million for building envelope work, and $3.6 million for fixed equipment. Those categories cover repairs ranging from paint, paving, exterior walls, and windows to walk-in refrigerators, bleachers, and press boxes.
Looking Further Ahead
Several high schools account for substantial work in Years 5 and 6. Year 5 includes about $8.2 million at Cape Fear High and $6.6 million at Jack Britt High, where the assessment identified worn, rusted rooftop heating and cooling units.
Pine Forest High has about $9.6 million listed in Year 6, including replacement of aging ductwork, kitchen exhaust equipment, and wiring. That year also includes $9.2 million at South View High and $8.5 million at Terry Sanford High, whose assessment identified worn and leaking distribution pipes, pumps, and fan coil units.
Middle schools account for several of the largest estimates in Year 7, including Pine Forest, with about $8.2 million, and Westover and Spring Lake, with $3.3 million each. Their listed needs include aging mechanical systems, HVAC equipment, and wiring.

(Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Schools)