Wake Officials Debate Year-Round Schools

(02/21/06 - RALEIGH) (WTVD) -- While the city is tearing down buildings, Wake County school officials are looking for places to put the growing student population.

Wake County schools are growing by more than 30 children a day. It seems that switching some schools to year-round next year is the only way to keep up with the growth. Meanwhile, Wake County school board members and county commissioners are still trying to come up with an exact dollar amount for a bond to build new schools.

Several updated scenarios were laid out last week in advance of a November vote. A $1.2 billion dollar bond switches all 93 elementary and middle schools to a year-round calendar and would cost the owner of a $175,000 home an extra $126 in taxes each year.

The most expensive option, nearly $2 billion dollars, converts 14 schools to year-round and adds about $200 a year or $16 dollars a month to the average property tax bill.

Based on a retreat last week, it appears school board members are leaning towards converting at least 14 middle and elementary schools to year-round next year. The issue is expected to come up at today's school board meeting.

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