Parents ask board to oppose Airport Boulevard extension that would run between two elementary schools

Several parents urged the Wake County Board of Education to oppose the Airport Boulevard Phase 1 extension that would run between Cedar Fork Elementary School and Sterling Montessori. Sherry Roche and Evelyn Ponce described safety and health concerns for children who walk or bike to school and asked the district to participate in efforts to halt the project.

Roche said parents were not informed about the project and listed specific safety worries: the proposed four-lane highway would have a 45 mph speed limit at the crossing of Town Hall Drive, would funnel more traffic onto local roads that already experience backups, and increase hazards for children who walk or bike to school. She noted many nearby students live in "no transport" zones and rely on walking or biking because no bus service is provided.

Ponce, who bikes with her children to school, said cutting trees next to the school would increase heat and noise and could stress Cedar Fork's HVAC system; she recalled two recent early dismissals at Cedar Fork because of HVAC failures. She asked the board to join community efforts to halt the plan or find alternatives that do not place a major arterial between two elementary schools.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the road project during the meeting; speakers sought district support and public visibility for their concerns.