A school bond referendum passed with a 70 percent approval rate during the November 2007 ­election.

The $54 million bond will be used to fund Phase I of the school district’s Master Facility Plan, which calls for the construction of two new schools, additions and improvements to other schools, and improvements to athletic facilities.

“All of us in Moore County schools can feel proud of the community we serve and the wonderful support we receive from not only parents, but all of the others in the community who believe in the value of quality schools,” said Dr. Susan Purser, ­superintendent.

Phase I of the district’s Master Facilities Plan includes a new middle school in the area between Carthage and Cameron and a new elementary school along the Highway 211 ­corridor. It also includes classroom additions at Highfalls Elementary, Robbins Elementary, Westmoore Elementary and Sandhills Farm Life.

Sewer and/or water connections will be installed at Highfalls Elementary, Cameron Elementary and Westmoore Elementary. Also included in the plan are improvements to athletic facilities at all middle and high schools.

Planning began last year in order to have the two new schools open for the 2009-2010 school year.

“We’re on a very aggressive ­schedule to meet our 2009 opening date goal,” Purser said. “We’ll use our Web site and other means to keep the public informed of the progress on all of the projects in Phase I.”