Funding approved after 3 Wake County elementary schools deemed unsafe due to structural issues
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Wake County school board unanimously approved funding for repairs at three elementary schools after district officials said structural issues have made the buildings unsafe for students and staff until repairs are completed. All three buildings were built in the early 1990s.
The repairs involve Durant Road Elementary School, Davis Drive Elementary School and Creech Road Elementary School. District officials said the work raises questions about the start of the school year, particularly at Durant Road Elementary, where year-round students are scheduled to return on July 30th.
According to the district, engineering crews determined the structural issues are severe enough that the schools cannot be occupied until repairs are made. Assistant Superintendent David Burnett said during the board's emergency meeting that the problems involve "settling" at the three schools. The issue was first identified in 2024 but has worsened since then.
It's not the cracking you would see in your houses.Rod Malone, School Board Attorney
District officials said engineering crews revisited the schools this year and determined repairs were necessary after finding structural cracking that exceeded normal wear and tear.
Rod Malone, the attorney for the Wake County school board, said on Monday the damage is unlike what is typically seen in buildings.
"This is very atypical, this is not the normal cracking you would see in any other place. It's not the cracking you would see in your houses, this is significant cracking. This is significant cracking to the point that the engineers said you cannot occupy these schools with kids without the repairs being made."
The district is scheduled to hold a closed meeting Wednesday to discuss contingency plans for the three schools because there is no firm timeline or cost estimate for the repairs. Board members said they have received feedback from contractors and expect to have pricing information and award bids later this week.
Although the board approved funding for the repairs, district officials said the short-term impacts remain unclear as work continues and contingency plans are developed.
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