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Parents tell Wake County board don’t convert year‑round calendars, restore bus routes
Summary
Multiple speakers at the May 5 meeting urged the board not to convert year‑round schools to traditional calendars and asked the district to restore bus service for families who would lose transportation; commenters cited steep summer child‑care costs, work schedules, and lack of outreach.
Several community members and parents told the Wake County Board of Education on May 5 that proposed calendar conversions and changes to bus eligibility would harm families and small businesses.
Jason Eagens, a parent from the Holly Grove feeder pattern, said his family planned housing, child care and work around a year‑round calendar and asked the board not to switch Holly Grove Elementary and Middle to a traditional calendar. "Summer child care costs are roughly $300 per week per child," he said, and a full calendar switch would force families to shoulder significant new expenses. Eagens said families are prepared to share impact statements and urged board members to avoid forcing families to "absorb the cost of these decisions that we didn't create." (public comment)
Separately, Mike Figueres, a parent organizer for Education Justice Alliance and a member of Public School Strong, reported that residents of the Treetop Apartments were told their children who attend Douglas Magnet Elementary (District 6) will no longer qualify for bus service next year because the area is in a new "no transport" zone. Figueres said parents work early shifts and that removing transportation will impose hardship and asked staff to explain who made the decision and why parents were not consulted. Staff directed Figueres to meet with Mr. Strickland after the meeting to discuss next steps.
Other commenters, including parents representing Heritage area families and small businesses, described broader community impacts — from summer recreation strain to potential teacher turnover — and urged the board and staff to partner with municipal leaders when calendar changes are considered.
Board members acknowledged these concerns and said staff has been asked to continue outreach; several members signaled that conversations on calendar conversions would continue.
