The Wake County Board of Education heard a proposal Tuesday to prevent the delay of new school construction and major building renovations, despite the uncertain economic times.

Last week, county commissioners said the school system would be eligible for $256 million in bond money for capital improvements, instead of an anticipated $370 million, and school leaders considered suspending construction projects.

"The news is much different today, and it's positive," Superintendent Del Burns said at a school board committee of the whole meeting Tuesday.

Don Haydon, the school system's chief of operations, said County Manager David Cooke has agreed to give the schools $80 million of cash that was being held in reserve. The change in cash flow would give the schools $336.5 million for capital improvements over the next 12 months.

Wake County Public School System staff says moving forward with the building of all planned new schools and major renovations will allow them to move forward in creating a multi-year assignment plan; informing parents where their kids will attend school for the next three years.

The second and third year assignments in the plan will be contingent on future funding, warned Chuck Dulaney, assistant superintendent for growth and planning.

However, Haydon's recommendation does call for the suspension of other upgrades -- such as replacing aging roofs, air conditioners, furniture and computers. Relocation of modular units would also be reduced to save money.

"This is significant; this is not trivial," Haydon said.

School board members asked staff to find ways to fund an estimated $9 million in costs to upgrade computers.

"The use of technology in schools that is 15 years old, that has a tremendous effect on preparing 21st century students," school board member Beverley Clark said.