From Coats in Classrooms to Questions at the Podium: How We Fix Wake Forest Elementary

By Tom Baker IV / February 17, 2026

A petition is currently circulating through the social media feeds of Wake Forest parents, gathering signatures at a rapid clip. Notably, this isn’t just a random outcry; it was started by Nicole Lewis, the President of the Wake Forest Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). It calls for an immediate fix to the heating system at Wake Forest Elementary, where students have reportedly spent days learning in winter coats due to frigid classrooms.

While the petition is technically about HVAC repairs, it reads like something far more significant: a warning sign. It is a clear signal that frustration in our community has reached a boiling point. The standard answers, “parts are on order,” “systems are aging,” or “budget constraints,” are no longer accepted as adequate by the families sending their children into these buildings.

We are not enemies with our school administration. We all want the same thing: safe, conducive learning environments for our children. But the situation at Wake Forest Elementary suggests that the current strategy for maintaining our schools is failing, and it is time for the community to step in and advocate for a better way forward.

The “2027 Solution” Leaves Us Out in the Cold

In broad strokes, the issues at Wake Forest Elementary appear to be the result of a “run-to-fail” approach, fixing things only after they break rather than before. But perhaps the most concerning development is the timeline for a permanent fix.

Current state legislation includes funding for a study to assess these HVAC issues, but the findings for that study reportedly aren’t due until February 2027.

Local news is also tracking this disconnect. In a recent report from ABC 11, district officials admitted the scale of the problem is massive. One official noted that “life cycle numbers show that we were somewhere between $600 and $800 million in arrears of things that needed to be done,” citing a backlog that includes not just HVAC, but roofs and windows.

While officials promised in the video that many current projects would be “under construction or at least bid by March 10th of this year,” parents at Wake Forest Elementary are left wondering if their school will make the cut or be left behind in that massive backlog.

How to Turn Frustration into Action

Advocacy is not about anger; it is about accountability. To move from signing a petition to solving the problem, we need to show up and ask the right questions.

1. Attend the Next Board of Education Meeting. The most direct way to be heard is to speak during the Public Comment period at a Board of Education meeting.

• Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 17 (Today!)

• Following Meeting: Tuesday, March 3

• Time: Meetings typically begin at 5:30 PM.

• Location: Crossroads I, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC.

2. How to Sign Up for Public Comment You cannot just show up and speak; you must register in advance.

• Online Registration: Sign-up usually opens online the day of the meeting between 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

• The Rules: Comments are typically limited to 3 minutes. Be concise, respectful, and personal. Share your child’s experience.

3. Who to Contact: Beyond the school board, the funding and legislative power lie with the County and the State. Below is the contact information for the elected officials who represent the Wake Forest area.

Wake County School Board (District 1)

• Representative: Ms. Cheryl Caulfield

• Email: ccaulfield@wcpss.net

• Role: Represents Wake Forest Elementary and advocates for our specific cluster’s facility needs.

Wake County Board of Commissioners (District 1)

• Representative: Commissioner Don Mial

• Contact: Microsoft Contact Form

• Role: The Commissioners control the local purse strings. They decide how much local tax money goes to the school system for capital improvements like HVAC repairs.

NC State House of Representatives (District 35)

• Representative: Rep. Mike Schietzelt

• Email: Mike.Schietzelt@ncleg.gov

• Phone: (919) 715-3010

• Role: Represents Wake Forest in the State House. Can advocate for accelerating state emergency funds.

NC State Senate (District 18)

• Representative: Sen. Terence Everitt

• Email: Terence.Everitt@ncleg.gov

• Phone: (919) 733-5850

• Role: Represents Wake Forest in the State Senate. Critical for pushing back the “2027 Study” timeline and demanding faster action.

(Note: Legislative districts can sometimes split neighborhoods. You can verify your specific representatives by entering your address at the NC General Assembly “Find Your Legislators” page.)

Questions to Ask Our Leaders

When you email these leaders, be polite but firm. Here are three questions to ask:

1. To the School Board: “Does the current budget prioritize preventative maintenance, or are we only funding emergency repairs? What is the immediate contingency plan for next winter?”

2. To the County Commissioners: “Are you willing to allocate specific emergency funds restricted solely for HVAC replacement at our oldest schools to ensure the money isn’t diverted elsewhere?”

3. To State Legislators: “The state-funded study isn’t due until 2027. That is too long. What can be done in the upcoming legislative short session to accelerate this timeline?”

Fixing It Together

The petition circulating online is a valid expression of anger, but it is also an opportunity. It is a chance for parents, teachers, and administrators to get on the same page. We cannot accept a reality where “learning in a coat” is a normal part of the Wake Forest Elementary experience. By showing up, signing up, and asking the right questions, we can ensure that the warmth returns to our classrooms, sooner rather than later.

Tom Baker IV

Tom Baker IV is the publisher of Wake Forest Matters, Wake Forest’s only independent local newsroom. A Wake Forest native, Navy veteran, and intelligence professional, Tom launched Wake Forest Matters to bring serious accountability journalism to his hometown. Tips and story ideas: publisher@wakeforestmatters.com