CHAPEL HILL-- The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board has a major decision to make Thursday night.

Members will have to decide between two projects: upgrading Chapel Hill High School or expanding the Lincoln Center to centralize all pre-k classes.

Last year, voters approved a bond for both projects but said the high school project was the selling point. School leaders admit the aging Chapel Hill High School is in desperate need of repairs after cracked concrete, poor air quality, and substandard security.

“It's bad, when I go to visit the math teachers in the math wing. It smells of mold,” says parent Melanie Reynolds.

“It's not helping the students really, truly meet their full potential,” parents say.

School board members say they don't enough money for both projects right now because of rising construction costs. The Lincoln Center could take priority because centralizing pre-k classes will make room at other schools, which the state law mandates.

That angers Reynolds and other parents.

“I feel like it was a bait and switch. Last year, I feel like it was the bond for the high school.”

The board chair tells Spectrum News Chapel Hill High will gets its upgrades. It's not a matter of if, but when.

The school board will make decision Thursday night at its meeting, starting at 7 p.m. It was moved to Smith Middle School in anticipation of a large crowd.