Wake budget woes could delay school construction projects

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County school board members say construction and renovation projects might have to be cut temporarily from the system budget in an effort to save money.

At a meeting Tuesday, the board discussed delaying five projects by at least a year, including the construction of Forest Ridge High School, a new high school on Forestville Road in northern Wake County.The board approved its name Tuesday.

Board members say it could be up to two years more before the school opens. It has been scheduled for August 2011, according to the board's agenda, though the district's Web site said 2010.

"We'll have to look at the impact on the students," said Don Haydon, the district's chief facilities and operations officer. "We could delay some of the outfitting things at schools or, perhaps, delay some athletic facilities."

Board member Beverley Clark wants to make sure all available dollars are used.

"Are there any cuts in all of the projects we have available? Have we squeezed them as tight as we possibly can?" Clark said.

Other projects that could be delayed include construction of Rolesville Middle School and Walnut Creek Elementary School in southeast Raleigh.

Renovations at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School and Wilburn Elementary in Raleigh are also options for cutting.

Last week, the school system learned it will get $100 million from the sale of Wake County bonds.

It will also get some money from the national economic stimulus package signed into law Tuesday, although it's still unclear how much.

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Vouchers would kill education in the U.S. and corrupt our constituion by funneling $$ into religions. If you don't care about that (well, first you should be deported), but how would you feel about a NC state-subsidized "School of Satanic Worship"? Or "Muslim Jihad Elementary School"? Can you even BEGIN to understand the inappropriateness of public $$ going to ANY religion? hereandnow99

That's the best argument I have ever seen against vouchers. I've never minded the idea of people choosing a private Chistian, Jewish, Hindi, or Muslim school; but the idea that the Taliban could open up an extremeist school here using our tax dollars is too much.

I hate how much schools have to tap dance to stay politically correct, but its not worth the risk.

ezLikeSundayMorning
February 18, 2009 12:31 p.m.

Gotta love that someone reported my previous post as inappropriate. Anyways,doobedoo,as far as I am concerned, you CHOSE to put your kid in private school, so how does that equate to me and my family having to pay for something you chose to put your child in. Does that mean that I also need to pay for your children to do gymnastics and soccer? In private league? No. It is not my responsability to ensure that your child is having a PRIVATE education. However,it is all taxpayers responsability to ensure that public schools are just that, public. And that they are well funded to ensure the future of those children. If you want to put your kids in private school, that should be on your dime. Not mine. Not everyone can afford to send their kids to private school. And there is no proven benefit to having a kid in private school. If you ask me they are more socially retarded. And this is from PERSONAL experience. And having TRIED to interact with those from private schools.

hrizzuto2
February 18, 2009 10:41 a.m.

hereandnow99
February 18, 2009 9:32 a.m.

Granted, public schools waste a lot of money (bussing and glorified preschool come to mind), but we all get benefit even without kids. Better educated youth means better jobs come to our area, less crime, and future innovations.

I like vouchers, I would even like to choose which public school, but public education is the key to building and maintaining equal opportunities for all. Its too important to give up.

Now if they delay construction, they need to delay tapping the construction bonds.

ezLikeSundayMorning
February 18, 2009 9:20 a.m.

Stop wasting money on making sure every kid goes to a school at least 20 miles from their house!