But that hasn't stopped Wake County from exploring how such schools might be used.

On Friday, school district employees presented an overview of their future construction needs and briefly talked before a group of developers about how the long-term leases might work.

The discussion was part of a broader meeting on growth held at the RBC Center by the Wake Education Partnership, a nonprofit organization that promotes public schools.

Representatives of some of the Triangle's largest developers -- including KB Homes, Beazer Homes, Mercury Development and Drees Homes -- were at the meeting, according to the group's spokeswoman.

Earlier this month, the General Assembly approved a bill that would allow developers to build schools and offer them to school districts for leases that could last decades. Gov. Mike Easley has not yet signed the bill.

The bill creates a new way of building schools, essentially giving the private sector a greater role.

Under the current system, counties approve the funding and school boards decide on the location and design of schools. Under the bill, developers could come up with the site, design and funding.

The school board would still have the final say over projects.

It is not clear yet how the change would benefit Wake, where voters will consider a $970 million school bonds referendum this fall. Supporters think the private sector could build schools faster, and possibly cheaper.

There are critics, however.

Rep. Bernard Allen, a Wake Democrat who was the only House member to vote against the bill, said he has "serious concerns" about the bill. He says it would allow local officials to build schools without getting voters' approval.

"Citizens usually have a right to vote on bonds," he said. "What does this do to their rights?"

With the proposed bond issue, the county hopes to cut school crowding, reduce the use of trailers and handle a massive influx of new students. The bonds would pay for 17 new schools and major renovations at 13 others.

Mike Burriss, the school district's assistant superintendent for facilities, said he hopes to ask developers for a number of proposals on possible school sites.

Then, he said, he could cut it down to a handful that are the most viable.

"Once we have the process in place and start seeing how the responses come back, we'll know more," he said. "I'm sure it will have an effect on our future building programs but to what extent I don't think anybody knows right now."

School board member Susan Parry said it is too soon to tell what the district's policy will be on long-term leases.

She said the school board has never really discussed the issue. The members supported the bill in their annual legislative agenda, but Parry said that was more about increasing their options.

"We need to have as many tools in our toolbox as possible," she said.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners, which approves school construction spending, also supports the long-term leases and has not decided exactly how they would work.

County Commissioner Joe Bryan said he thinks that adding some privately built schools could help reduce overcrowding while the county goes forward with its own construction program.

"The private sector can cut through a lot of red tape, and time is money," he said.

He and Parry said there are no plans to use the long-term leases to build a large number of schools or as a backup if voters reject the bond issues this fall.