District updates trustees on New Hope High School repurposing of former Fabian Elementary

District staff presented a schematic-design update showing how former Fabian Elementary could be repurposed for New Hope High School, using a phased approach that prioritizes academic spaces to allow the program to occupy the site quickly.

Administration described Phase 1 as completing core academic spaces and moving the program into the existing structure, with Phase 2 to add cafeterias, media centers and other support spaces during the school year. The presentation emphasized flexibility in interior neighborhoods and creating collaborative spaces to match New Hope’s blended instructional model; the designers said the repurposing uses the existing building footprint rather than building an addition.

Trustees asked how many students the facility is being designed for and whether open enrollment would be available. Design lead Christina Lane said the schematic is built for about 200 students and the district aims to start closer to 140 in phase 1: “The design is built for about 200 students,” she said. Administration said exact construction costs are not finalized and that the $37 million bond line item would cover phases 1–2 “give or take” but that design development and contractor estimates are needed to confirm numbers.

Board members pressed staff to return with follow-up materials: a cost breakdown by phase, a clear timeline for permitting and construction, and communications to affected communities. Staff said they will provide more detailed estimates and will create a website to centralize updates for stakeholders.