The last time Wake County voters had a chance to decide on a nearly $1 billion school bond, they passed it. That was seven years ago. But in 1999, a school bond failed, due to concern over higher taxes.
That mixed history has school leaders on edge. They say a new bond is essential to serving the district’s 150,000 students. Another 20,000 are expected within the next five years. They hope to build 16 new schools and make major renovations to other building to deal with that growth.
The proposed school bond would add about $145 to the tax bill of the average Wake County home. Opponents of the bond say that’s too much, and the rise of private and charter schools will lower traditional public school growth.
The Republican majority on the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Democratic majority on the School Board have all expressed their support for the bond.
Voters will get their say on October 8th.