Northern High School in Durham opens doors to students and staff

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's a long anticipated day in Durham, as Northern High School represents a project years in the making.

The newest high school in Bull City cost roughly 90 million dollars and has 82 classrooms and common areas.

The delay to opening came from an issue with the building's backflow preventer, a valve that protects the water supply from contamination as well as a second delay due to Idalia.

Parts of the school are still works in progress. The school's auditorium and athletic fields are not finished, but school officials point out that those are not needed to allow occupancy by students and staff.

ABC11 spoke Northern High School Principal, Dan Gilfort, about what the new building can provide.

"21st-century technology and learning environments. Our previous school was built in 55 and so it was in drastic need of support that supported our kids in terms of the educational openings that they wanted and needed and deserve. And so this gives them all of those things. There are no excuses. They have state of the art, everything in those classrooms," he said.

Gilfort said that make-up days will be used to account for the school's five-day delay in opening.

Northern High School will house roughly 1,300 students.

Classes will take place from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.