RALEIGH - A group opposed to this fall's $970 million school construction bond issue blasted the Wake County school board Thursday for not asking the state to lift the cap on charter schools.

Americans For Prosperity North Carolina, an advocacy group that favors limited government and fiscal restraint, called the school board's recent resolution asking the General Assembly to study lifting the cap a "meaningless" action.

"On Tuesday, the Wake County school board had a chance to lead on the issue of charter schools," said Francis De Luca, the group's state director. "Instead the board decided to punt. If the board does not change direction immediately and consider the wishes of parents and voters -- voters will choose to punt and refuse to support the bond for the board in November."

School leaders contend that it is unfair to lay the responsibility on them; only the state has the authority to lift the charter cap.

"It boils my blood for them to blame us for them not getting it lifted," said Wake school board member Carol Parker. "If [the General Assembly] couldn't get the cap raised when they could have had millions in federal grants, what makes them think [the school board] can get it passed if we asked?"

De Luca insisted that as the second-largest district in the state, Wake could have a powerful influence on lifting the cap.

1996 law

In 1996, the General Assembly passed a law allowing up to 100 charter schools, which are publicly funded but are free from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charters operate independently from the school system.

Earlier this month, the State Board of Education approved the 100th charter school, so no new applications will be accepted. Wake has 14 charter schools, the most in the state.

There are 3,224 students on waiting lists to get into Wake charter schools, said Jack Moyer, director of the office of charter schools for the state Department of Public Instruction.

"The citizens of Wake County have clearly demonstrated by their actions and words they want more charter schools," De Luca said.

Liz Morey, vice president of the N.C. League of Charter Schools, said many groups would apply for charters in Wake if the cap were lifted. But Morey said no one applied from Wake this year.

De Luca acknowledged that adding more charter schools wouldn't solve the problem of housing the 7,000-plus students arriving in Wake each year. But he said anything that helps should be used.

Hot issue

Charter schools have been a hot issue in Wake for several years.

De Luca noted that advisory groups appointed by the county commissioners had recommended in 2000 and earlier this year that the school board fight to get the cap lifted.

Bond critics had jumped on the school board for voting in February against adding the cap to the district's legislative agenda. Board members said that they wanted to clarify their position with the new resolution calling for a study of whether the performance of the charter schools warrants lifting the cap.

"We don't have a problem with charter schools," said board member Lori Millberg. "But lifting the cap would affect more than just Wake, so it needs to be studied."