Although students in Wake County public schools are back in the classroom, many of their school buildings are still not up to state fire code, according to documents obtained by WRAL Investigates.
Since 2023, WRAL Investigates has filed public records requests annually for the latest school fire inspection records.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The Wake County Public School System, the largest in the state, oversees roughly 200 schools.
Wake County provided 492 pages of records to WRAL, showing hundreds of violations across the system, with some of the identified issues still not corrected, even after as many as nine separate visits by fire inspectors. In some cases, the repeat violations led to fines.
For example, Green Level High School in Cary was issued a $150 fine after inspectors noted, for a ninth time, that there was a violation regarding the two-way emergency communication system. Records show the issue has been persistent since 2024, with the school incurring fines totaling $900 for this violation alone.
And at Rolesville Middle School, the school was fined $150 when an inspector noted, for the eighth time in a row, that there was an issue with a smoke control system. That problem dates back to 2023.
WRAL Investigates wrote to Wake County Public School System spokesperson Michael Hyland, who provided a lengthy email statement. He said that repairs are underway for both of the identified issues at Green Level High School and Rolesville Middle.
He added:
"The same unresolved finding may appear in subsequent inspection reports until the work and documentation are complete. That does not lessen our responsibility to resolve it. Some findings have remained open too long, and we are not satisfied with that."
Other violations at local schools include fire doors that will not latch, fire extinguishers that are not up-to-date on their maintenance records, improper storage of equipment, and deficiencies with sprinkler systems.
During a May 29 inspection at Apex High School, inspectors noted unpermitted auxiliary door handle locks on three classrooms, and issued a $50 fine. Apex Friendship received multiple fines for other issues, too, including improper storage outside the band room.
WRAL Investigates asked Hyland if school officials would be held accountable for not correcting violations in a timely manner.
"School leaders are responsible for conditions within their day-to-day control, while Facilities and Technology Services manage building-system repairs, required inspections and vendor performance," he wrote. "Outstanding findings are assigned to the appropriate school or department until they are resolved. Any failure to take required action is addressed through the district’s normal supervisory processes."
Just days after our report, the Vice Chairman of the Wake County School Board questioned superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor about our story. Vice-Chairman Sam Hershey was particularly concerned about repeated violations that eventually led to fines.
Taylor explained some repairs can take longer if specialty equipment or contractors is needed, like those continued problems with the emergency communications systems at Green Level High School.
Taylor also said common violations liked extensions cords or blocked doors are fixed immediately. He stressed to parents that despite nearly 500 pages in findings, he said Wake County schools are safe.