Some year-round Wake County schools may change to traditional

Raleigh, N.C. — Some year-round schools in Wake County may change back to a traditional calendar.

In a meeting Tuesday, school board members considered the change because student enrollment has fallen below projections.

The school system's estimated 130,000 students could grow by 10,000 next year. In response to growth, the district had converted 22 schools to year-round calendars.

Last year, many year-round schools were also below capacity because hundreds of parents opted to stay in traditional-calendar schools.

School administrators have said year-round schools are necessary to help the system manage its booming student population. They accommodate about 25 percent more students than a traditional school because one-quarter of the student body is always on break.

The subject of year-round schools in Wake County has been contentious, with a lawsuit filed to keep attendance at them voluntary.