4 new schools to open this year due to 'tremendous growth' in southern Wake County

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Four new schools are coming online for the start of the new school year to meet the growing population in southern Wake County.

The district is working to get its Certificate of Occupancy for Felton Grove High School in Apex.

Landscapers have been putting the final touches on the property. Wake County said construction is on track, and some furnishings are already inside the school on pallets waiting to be set up in classrooms.

Doors are expected to open for the first day of school on Aug. 25.

Bowling Road Elementary in Fuquay-Varina, Rex Road Elementary in Holly Springs, and Pleasant Plains Elementary in Apex are also opening.

"There are subdivisions still planned in that southern western part of Wake County that will bring us additional homes, and we're planning for those seats in the future," said Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Chief of Facilities and Operations Mark Strickland.

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ABC11 inquired about HVAC systems, which have caused persistent problems.

Forty school days were cut short last school year because of HVAC equipment issues.

Strickland said staff have been working through the school to make sure the units are working properly.

"We try to get ahead of some things. We've done a lot of preventive maintenance, done some things not only for the cooling season, but also some prep work for the heating season later on," said Strickland.

The district estimates it could cost $200 million to fix all the heating and cooling systems.