Transylvania County School Projects Totaling $160 Million Planned Through 2029

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, NC. – Transylvania County is undertaking a major investment in its public schools, with approximately $160 million in funded capital projects planned through 2029, according to the county.

The projects include renovations and upgrades at all Transylvania County Schools, as well as construction of a new Career and Technical Education building at Brevard High School.

Contractors are currently preparing for approximately $22.5 million in work at Rosman Elementary School, Rosman Middle/High School and T.C. Henderson Elementary School.

The county said the ongoing school improvements are being funded through several sources.

For fiscal year 2027, Transylvania County has budgeted $16.8 million for Transylvania County Schools, including both operational and capital funding. The county said the amount fully funds the school system’s request and places Transylvania County sixth among North Carolina’s 100 counties for local spending per student.

More than $50 million in school bonds were sold in 2024 to finance major renovations throughout the school system. The projects include roof replacements, HVAC and boiler upgrades, electrical and plumbing improvements, security enhancements and other facility repairs.

A second round of school bonds, scheduled to be sold in 2028, is expected to provide an additional $18 million for comprehensive interior renovations and cosmetic improvements at schools throughout the county.

Transylvania County Schools has also received a $62 million Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant from the state. The grant will support construction of a new CTE building and additional improvements at Brevard High School.

The county said the various funding sources account for approximately $130 million in school projects, with another $30 million in capital projects supported through designated sales tax revenue.

That brings the total amount of funded school capital projects to approximately $160 million through 2029.

How the school bonds work

County officials described bonds as a form of debt financing used to fund large-scale projects such as school construction and renovations.

Before the bonds could be sold, a comprehensive project plan was developed and submitted for approval. The first bonds were sold in late 2024, allowing the renovation projects to begin.

The county will repay the bonds over time according to an established debt schedule. County officials said planning and saving for the bond payments had taken place over multiple years.

The projects funded through the school bonds were identified through a comprehensive assessment conducted by contractor Axias. The scopes of work were approved by both the Transylvania County Board of Education and the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners before being finalized through an interlocal agreement between the county and school system in February 2025.

Residents can follow the progress of the projects through monthly updates from the School Bond Project Manager. The manager provides reports during the second Board of Commissioners meeting each month, as well as at Board of Education meetings.

Project updates are also available through the county’s website.