Delaware district will build $177 million high school on site of existing campus

The Sussex Technical district in Georgetown, Del., is planning to replace the existing Sussex Technical High School with a $177 million facility on the same campus.

The new 349,000-square-foot building would house about 1,600 students in grades nine through 12, reports The Cape Gazette.

In November, the Delaware Department of Education approved the district's plans for the new facility.

The Sussex Tech high school campus opened in 1961. For years, school officials have said the facility was in is in poor condition and sought state funding to replace it.

School officials say the building is safe but deteriorating and needs modern upgrades.

About 60% of the money to build the replacement campus--$107 million--would come from the state; local funds make up the rest of the construction budget.