This article was originally published in the March 19 2013 print edition of the Scuppernong Reminder

Hal Davis, principal of the Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology and Agriscience, mentioned changes for the upcoming school year in a March 14 Open House last week.

The school has been held at the Vernon James Research and Extension Center.

“We are pleased to be a part of the faculty here. We are glad to be engaged with it. We have made a very good home for ourselves,” said Davis.

Davis mentioned that the school does not have sewer service. The closest sewer line is Roper or Plymouth.

Therefore NERSBA officials are planning to operate a split campus for the next school year.

“Our plans are to use the existing Windows of the World building. Our school Board has already negotiated with the Board of Commissioners here in Washington County to lease that facility for thirteen months. We are looking at putting our freshmen class two miles down the road at the Windows of the World building,” said Davis.

Davis said that plans were being made to upgrade the technology at the Roper facility.

“From an educational standpoint, it has some very positive attributes that we want to try to employ,” said Davis.

Davis mentioned at the Open House an upcoming meeting with Washington County officials on how to utilize the facility.

Davis mentioned that NERSBA officials are looking long-term at having their own school facility. School officials want to expand the school to 420 students. This will mean bringing in more grades.

The freshmen class will be at the Windows of the World Building. The sophomore class will be at the Vernon James Research and Extension Center.

“There will be days when students from that facility will be on-site here. There may be some days next year where we will do some flip-flopping,” said Davis.

Davis mentioned that more information will be provided as the formal planning process for the academic calendar begins.