Site chosen for Western NC School of Science and Math
A site was chosen Friday for the future western campus of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.
The Board of Trustees approved a recommendation that the new campus be on the eastern ridge of the N.C. School for the Deaf in Morganton, a property currently managed by the state Department of Public Instruction.
The site was one of three options on an 800-acre tract near Interstate 40 in Morganton, 170 miles west of the school’s Durham campus.
School officials said the location was chosen based on factors such as safety, green space and proximity to downtown and other educational partners.
The first 300 students are expected to enroll at the Morganton campus in 2021. Construction of the new school will be financed by $58 million from the Connect NC bond issue approved by voters last year.
School officials are at work on the educational program vision for the school, which could be considered by the board in September. Design of the buildings will follow.
The public high school for talented students opened in 1980 on the historic campus of Watts Hospital in Durham. It has 1,410 students this year, including 680 in the residential program and 360 online.
Jane Stancill: 919-829-4559, @janestancill
This story was originally published May 26, 2017 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Site chosen for Western NC School of Science and Math."