The modular classrooms outside Panther Creek High School are still sitting empty, and the tug-of-war over them isn't finished yet.

The school is hoping to start using the classrooms this semester, but can't get permission to use the buildings because of Cary law.

Because the addition of the modular units means increased capacity, which leads to added traffic, town ordinance requires an estimated $1.4 million in road improvements to help carry the added cars.

Last week, Cary's Town Council voted to allow the Wake County School District three years to start road improvements -- as long as they agree to pay for it.

The school district had said in the past that they wanted the town to waive that requirement.

Council members say they simply can't do that.

"We have an ordinance, and we cannot waive that ordinance by law," said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. "We have to enforce that ordinance, and that ordinance requires road improvements."

The town council has made it clear that Cary will not pay for the road improvements.

"Cary doesn't have the budget to pay for the road improvements this year, and it's not our responsibility," said Weinbrecht. "It's the responsibility of whoever's building the units."

School Board Chair Rosa Gill declined an interview request, but said she and other members have not decided how they want to go forward from here; she anticipates a meeting with other members on Wednesday to discuss it.

The two groups are hoping to meet and talk about the issue soon.

"Their No. 1 priority is getting the kids in those school seats, and that's our No. 1 priority," said Weinbrecht, who went into detail about the situation in his blog earlier this week.

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