The Hyde County (N.C.) school district is constructing a new Ocracoke School to replace a facility severely damaged in 2019 by Hurricane Dorian.
The $4.9 million replacement facility in Ocracoke will be better prepared than its predecessor for storms and hurricanes, reports Island Free Press. To comply with the village of Ocracoke's new flood elevation ordinance, the school will be raised 5 1/2 feet above ground level, or 7 1/2 feet above high tide.
The 18,030-square-foot building will integrate grades from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Since the storm hit, students have been attending classes in other buildings within the district and in modular units.
The Ocracoke Observer reports the new building's gym lobby area will double as a multipurpose room for community needs and long wheelchair ramps will be added to the front and back entrances.
Passageways between the new integrated building and the existing two-story elementary wing will be level and enclosed.
The walkway between the administration/commons building will be converted into a commons area with a STEM lab/maker space and additional staff and offices will be added in the administration area.
Other plans call for converting one existing first floor of an elementary classroom into three smaller rooms an ESL classroom, an Exceptional Children classroom and a after school classroom.
The school is slated to open in fall 2022.
Cahoon & Kasten Architects designed the facility.
