North Carolina Construction News staff writer
North Carolina’s public school districts have identified nearly $18 billion in facility needs over the next five years, a 37 per cent increase from the previous state assessment, as aging buildings, deferred maintenance and rising construction costs add to pressure on education infrastructure.
The 2025-26 Statewide K-12 Facility Needs Survey, released Nov. 4 by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, estimates that the state’s 115 traditional public school districts require approximately $17.96 billion in capital improvements, up from $13.07 billion identified in the 2020-21 survey.
Renovations account for the largest share of projected spending, at $9.77 billion, or 54 per cent of the total. That represents a 77 per cent increase from the $5.53 billion in renovation needs reported five years ago.
The survey identifies renovation requirements at 1,416 schools across 93 districts.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems account for more than $2 billion in projected renovation costs. Including plumbing and electrical improvements brings the combined total for those building systems to approximately $2.9 billion, representing 30 per cent of identified renovation needs.
Other major renovation categories include $1.26 billion for exterior improvements, including roofs and windows, and approximately $539 million for building code compliance and life safety work.
Repairs and deferred maintenance were the most frequently cited reasons for proposed projects, accounting for 48 per cent of responses. Building code and life safety issues, HVAC improvements and energy-saving initiatives each accounted for approximately 16 per cent.
New school construction represents another $6.16 billion, or 34 per cent of the projected five-year total. Districts identified plans for 88 new schools across 56 districts. An additional $1.37 billion is projected for expansions to existing facilities, with 127 schools reporting a need for additional classroom or support space.
Construction costs are also contributing to the increase in projected needs. The state’s baseline construction cost estimate rose 40 per cent, from $250 to $350 per square foot, compared with the previous survey.
The report cautions that its estimates do not account for future construction cost increases, supply chain disruptions or uncertainty surrounding tariffs, meaning actual project costs could be higher.
Funding for school construction and maintenance in North Carolina is primarily the responsibility of county governments, with additional support available through state lottery-funded capital programs.
Between July 2021 and June 2026, the state appropriated approximately $2.83 billion through three lottery-supported school capital programs. Separately, voters in eight counties approved nearly $5.88 billion in school construction bond authorizations between January 2021 and December 2025.
The report notes that these historical funding figures do not represent commitments against the newly identified $17.96 billion in needs. It also excludes projects already under design or construction for which funding has been secured.
The survey projects a further $14.78 billion in school facility needs during years six through 10, indicating that the pressure on school infrastructure will continue beyond the current five-year planning period.