More than 150 attend town hall demanding urgent action on deteriorating school facilities

RALEIGH, N.C. — More than 150 educators, parents, and community members gathered at Dillard Drive Elementary School Wednesday night for a town hall hosted by Wake NCAE, urging Wake County Commissioners to substantially increase the proposed school bond amount before it goes to voters next year.

The event provided a platform for Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) stakeholders to voice concerns about longstanding maintenance and facility issues that have plagued the district, including security vulnerabilities, mold problems, and chronic HVAC failures that have repeatedly forced early school closures.

Teachers Share Classroom Conditions

Educators painted a stark picture of daily working conditions during the town hall. Morgan Fullbright, a teacher at Heritage High School, described spending the past four years in a classroom where temperatures consistently reach 80 degrees regardless of outdoor weather conditions.

“For the past four years, I’ve taught in a classroom that regularly reaches 80 degrees,” Fullbright said. “If it’s 75 outside, it’s 80 in my classroom. If it’s 34 outside, it’s still 80 in my classroom.”

Gabrielle Williamson, an educator at Enloe High School, delivered an emotional appeal to commissioners and attendees, challenging them to consider whether current efforts are sufficient.

“Ask yourself, like we do every day: Am I doing everything I can? Can I be doing more?” Williamson said through tears. “Supporting an increased bond that covers all of our issues—and fighting for safe, functional schools—is what doing more looks like.”

Commissioner Attendance and Response

Two of the seven county commissioners attended the event: Cheryl Stallings, representing District 3, and Vickie Adamson from District 7. Commissioners Shinica Thomas, Tara Waters, and Susan Evans had scheduling conflicts, while Safiyah Jackson sent a video message from abroad.

Notably absent was Commissioner Don Mial from District 1, who sent an email declining to attend or engage with the union on the matter.

Both Stallings and Adamson expressed support for the currently proposed bond of nearly $700 million. However, when pressed about increasing that amount, both commissioners indicated they needed additional information and did not commit to raising the bond total.

Call for Transparency and Investment

Wake NCAE is demanding greater transparency from the school district regarding the complete scope of facility and maintenance needs across WCPSS. The organization advocates for raising the bond amount to more than $1 billion to comprehensively address infrastructure challenges.

“We thank the County Commissioners who came out to hear from the communities they serve,” said Christina Cole, Wake NCAE President. “Our educators should not have to work in these conditions, and our children should not have to learn in them. This is a solvable problem—but only if the proposed bond is large enough to fix it.”

Cole emphasized that addressing the facilities crisis requires adequate investment. “We’re calling on our commissioners and our community to invest in our public schools, invest in our children, and invest in our future.”

The bond proposal is expected to go before voters in the coming year, with the final amount yet to be determined by county commissioners.