The Wake County Board of Education and the Wake County Board of Commissioners have tentatively agreed on a revised school building plan in preparation of a bond referendum of $810 million to be set for October 8. The bond money would substantially fund a $939.9 million dollar school building program that would result in 11 new elementary schools; three middle schools; and two high schools. Significant renovations would take place at six schools, and dozens of schools would benefit from replacements, renovations, and upgrades. The remainder of the $939.9 million amount would come from existing funds from a recent bond sale by Wake County government and other county revenue.

The building program addresses the need for additional school space for the district’s growing population of students, expected to increase by as many as 32,000 students by the 2020 school year. The program also addresses renovation and replacement needs on several of the school system’s older campuses.
The next step is a May 21st meeting of the Wake Board of Education, when the board is expected to adopt a resolution requesting a bond referendum from the Board of Commissioners. The two boards plan to visit some of the school sites later this spring. The Board of Commissioners is expected to start the legal process for the bond referendum at its meeting on June 17.

The County Commissioners and Board of Education began focusing on the building program and funding plans earlier this year, significantly whittling down the program to make it affordable.