Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, officials gathered for the first of two meetings to review the site plan, interior layout and furniture for Dare County’s Early College.

Representatives from the Dare Board of Commissioners, Dare County Board of Education, Town of Manteo and College of The Albemarle watched as architects from Oakley Collier presented the site plan and interior design in the upstairs meeting room at the Dare County Administrative Building.

The new building is proposed to be placed adjacent to a parking area close to Uppowoc Avenue. In exterior design, it mirrors that of the College of The Albemarle – Dare Campus.

On the first floor are administrative offices and three classrooms, including health and physical education adjacent to a space marked “Fitness,” as one credit of physical education is required to graduate high school.

At the entrance off Uppowoc, a full service kitchen with food court is available with serving lines for cold and hot food. The kitchen can be used for teaching culinary arts.

Upstairs is a science lab and classroom, a career/tech space, three math classrooms, an exceptional students area, and two social studies classrooms.

One elevator is available in the plans. “Gang” toilets are on both floors.

COA President Jack Bagwell responded to a question about growth, acknowledging increased student enrollment in the new building and the Dare Guarantee Scholarships available. He said that nothing has been projected out.

Crosswalks were raised as a concern, as students are now crossing the main highway to get food at the shopping center across from the college. Dustin Peele was assigned the task of helping with crossways. Flashing lights were suggested.

At the end of the meeting, school representatives nodded that they were satisfied with the floor plans. College of The Albemarle representatives gave the okay on the exterior.

The final meeting of the working group is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!