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Students push Wake County to adopt 'Green New Deal' for schools, cite electric buses and green jobs
Summary
Student speakers urged the Wake County Board of Education to adopt a local 'Green New Deal' that would accelerate renewable energy projects, transition buses to electric, expand green job pathways and implement free, healthy school lunches.
Student advocates urged the Wake County Board of Education on Jan. 21 to adopt a district-level "Green New Deal" that would invest in renewable energy, electrify buses, expand career pathways into green jobs and explore universal free healthy lunches.
"By adopting a Green New Deal, you're not just committed to sustainability. You're preparing students for the future, saving money, and showing leadership on one of the most pressing issues of our time," said Kriti Pokra, a student who identified herself with the Panther Creek community. Another Panther Creek senior, Jana Verma, told the board that expanding career-technical education and partnerships with trade unions could prepare graduates for green-economy work.
Why it matters: Speakers said local action is necessary because federal policy is uncertain, and they argued sustainability investments can reduce operating costs long term while improving student health and creating job pathways.
Details and examples
Speakers pointed to examples in neighboring districts. Kriti Pokra cited Durham Public Schools and Duke Energy programs, saying Durham has added 38 electric school buses and has committed to renewable-energy projects. Advocates also urged integrating climate education into curricula and building partnerships with trade schools and unions so graduates can enter green jobs without prohibitive additional training.
Food security was tied to sustainability by one speaker. A student active with Sunrise Movement asked the board to pursue free, healthy, sustainably sourced lunches for all students, citing research that regular access to nutrition can improve attention and cognitive performance. The speaker said "1 out of every 5 students go to school hungry" nationally and that in North Carolina "1 in 6 children struggle with hunger," figures offered as part of the public comment.
Speakers acknowledged cost and feasibility concerns and said they are prepared to collaborate with the district to find funding through grants and partnerships.
Board response and next steps
No formal board action was taken. Multiple student speakers asked the board to work with students, staff and community partners to develop a realistic plan and suggested an April 1 target for a revised proposal, a timeline requested by student speakers.
Ending
Student speakers framed sustainability as both an educational and economic opportunity and urged the board to pursue local steps—bus electrification, renewable-energy installations and curricular pathways—that would make Wake County schools leaders on climate and job preparation.
