New school past first hurdle

Friday, April 28, 2000 | 11 a.m.

A new middle school is on the horizon for North Las Vegas.

Planning commissioners Wednesday unanimously granted the Clark County School District a special use permit to build a $17 million middle school at Clayton Street and Deer Springs Way.

Helen Foley, a representative from Pardee Construction, commended the members for their approval, pointing out that the school, which borders the Eldorado master-planned community, is needed for new families expected to move to the area by the school's projected opening of August 2001.

The next step for the district will be to request the land from the Bureau of Land Management under the Recreation Public Purposes act. Under the act, nonprofit and government entities may acquire land at discount prices if they intend to use it for recreation or public purposes like parks and schools.

The BLM will lease the land to the district for $2 per acre, and then sell the land to the district for $10 per acre once the school is up and running.

Robert Steppke, supervisor of the Real Property Management division for the district, said it is hoped that construction can start by May, opening in August 2001.