Wake County board approves CIP executive summary and petitions county for school bond referendum

Facilities staff presented an updated Capital Improvement Program (CIP) executive summary for fiscal years 2027-2033 and recommended modest reallocations to address immediate priorities.

The presentation said $5 million originally earmarked from cash-funded technology devices would be reallocated: $2 million would be added to a cash category for environmental and ADA work and $3 million to the security line item. Staff also described spending for mobile-unit relocation and limited trailer renovation funding to address growth and relocations.

Mr. Strickland and board members discussed how the CIP was developed with county partners and reviewed methods for transparency and project-level reporting. Mr. Haggerty and others commended staff for broader stakeholder engagement while asking for ongoing project-level reports.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the CIP executive summary. The board then approved a resolution petitioning the Wake County Board of Commissioners to consider a bond referendum for school facilities; staff said the county's debt model informed the proposed ask and the resolution is the district's step to request the bond on the ballot later in the year. The resolution passed unanimously.

Board members emphasized the need for clarity, transparency and accountability for large capital investments and said staff will provide additional web-based reporting and schematic design materials at project stages.

Outcome: CIP executive summary approved and the resolution to petition the county for a bond referendum was adopted unanimously.