DPS Board OKs Duke University property as site for new high school
June 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Hugh Osteen, Assistant Superintendent Operational Services, 919-560-3831
DURHAM—In another of many winning partnerships between Duke University and Durham Public Schools, the district’s newest planned high school has a home. The DPS Board of Education has approved the purchase of a site currently owned by Duke University near Durham Regional Hospital.
The new school, which will be built to alleviate crowding at Jordan and Riverside High Schools, is currently slated to open as soon as 2012. It will be constructed on 58 acres on the property along Duke Homestead Road and Stadium Drive. Duke has agreed to sell the property to DPS for a total of $4.1million.
The $48 million high school will initially serve 800 students, with eventual expansion to 1,200 in the plan. This site allows for this expansion. The project was approved by Durham County voters in a 2007 bond referendum. The school will be a multi-story, environmentally friendly facility with the goal of being certified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold.
“The Stadium Drive site for our new high school is the best option in town. Duke University has long set the standard for university support of its neighboring public school system, and this is another fantastic example of one of the nation’s greatest ‘town-gown’ relationships,” said Interim Superintendent Hank Hurd. “We are very grateful to Duke for providing us with the ability to serve students and families with what will be a beautiful high school in a grand setting.”
“Duke University strongly believes in the value of public education and its ability to prepare students for bright futures,” said Dr. Phail Wynn, Vice President of Durham and Regional Affairs for Duke. “We are very pleased to be able to support Durham Public Schools’ ongoing efforts to provide educational facilities that are among the best in our state and the nation.”
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Attachments
High School "A" Site Plan (PDF)
