They haven't taken office yet, but the newly elected members of the Wake County Board of Education are wasting no time in exercising their clout. District 1 board member-elect Chris Malone called today for the county to suspend any future spending on a controversial high school site in northern Wake, at the request of the "future majority" on the board.

The high school, known as H6, is currently planned for a site off two-lane Forestville Road near U.S. 401. The site is just over two miles from the newly opened Heritage High School. Community concerns over traffic issues, an historic cemetery on the land, and rock deposits on the property were brought up by each of the District 1 candidates during the school board campaign. The mayors of Rolesville and Wake Forest also have spoken against the site.

Malone indicated in an interview with NBC 17 last week that Forest Ridge would be one of the first targets of a new board.

"I think it's incumbent upon the school system to be more concerned with the taxpayers' money," he said. "With the idea that it's very likely that it will be moved."

Here is the complete text of Malone's email, which included the names of all four newly-elected school board members and current member Ron Margiotta:

A letter to the Wake County School Board
And County Staff.

11/04/2009

RE: Forest Ridge High School

I hope this finds everyone doing well and in good spirits. Thankfully, time for campaigning is now over. We are now a month away and a new majority will take its seats on December 1. Whereas I completely agree that we need to go forward in a judicious and thoughtful manner on any policy change I think it incumbent upon us, and in this case I do speak for the coming majority, that we suspend any future or currently planned spending on the H6 site whether direct or indirect. When I was on the Wake Forest Board it came to me that sometimes regardless of what one might believe is a good policy or program, that when the people speak loudly enough it is our job.. that being the board and the staff to amend our goals and to listen and act. Call it servant leadership. Call it politics. Sometimes the intrinsic value proposition of public opinion outweighs other concerns. Whatever it is a healthy respect for the will of the people will always keep you in good stead. So without further delay the future majority is requesting a stop to H6. We look forward to an immediate review of the available options. Thank you...

With Regards,

Chris Malone
SB- Elect District 1

John Tedesco
SB- Elect District 2

Deborah Prickett
SB- Elect District 7

Ron Margiotta
School Board Member District 8

Debra Goldman
SB- Elect District 9