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Johnston County commissioners approve $129.38 million to rebuild Clayton High School

Johnston County Board of Commissioners · November 18, 2025

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Summary

The county approved $129,381,316 to complete a rebuild of Clayton High School and adopted a supplemental reimbursement resolution; formal Local Government Commission approval will be required before permanent financing. Staff will return with a funding plan and timing details.

Johnston County commissioners voted Nov. 17 to approve funding of $129,381,316 to complete the Clayton High School rebuild and adopted a supplemental resolution to allow reimbursement of county expenditures from future debt proceeds.

County finance staff presented the board with an update on conversations with the North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC) and recommended moving forward so the contractor can meet a planned Dec. 15 start date. County staff said the LGC will need to formally approve any borrowing and estimated 45–60 days from LGC approval to sale and availability of funds.

"We had quite a group as well as representatives from Johnston County Public Schools and Barnhill on the call with local government commission staff," County Manager Rick Hester said, summarizing recent coordination. Hester told the board the county may need to front some costs between December and the formal financing and that staff will return with a recommended funding method.

A commissioner moved to approve the funding amount and the motion passed by voice vote. The motion included an explicit note that the loan will be subject to formal LGC approval in 2026.

Staff also presented a supplemental resolution amending a resolution adopted March 3, 2025, to declare the county's official intent to reimburse expenditures for the Clayton High School project from future debt proceeds. Kathy Kyle, presenting the resolution, described it as a routine technical step; the board adopted it by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff will return to the board with a recommended funding method and timeline for permanent financing after the LGC sign‑off. The LGC approval is expected in early 2026, according to staff.