NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Norfolk School Board voted 6-1 Wednesday to approve the schematic design for the new Maury High School, with the understanding that it allows flexibility in those designs moving forward. School Board Member Kenneth Paulson was the lone no vote.

“With this vote for approval, now we can go into the design development phase,” Heartland Construction Vice President Robert Hudson said.

Developers said flexibility is key as the needs and expectations could change. Board members hope the vote leads to nailing down a total cost.

“These designs are beautiful, and they are pie in the sky designs, and without funding, are we going to be able to do and follow these designs?” Board member Tanya Bhasin said.

Others felt similarly.

“We’ve kicked this can down the road,” said Board member Jason Inge. “We went from $185 [million] to now, up to $200 million, and we don’t even know if the city can incur that debt, or more.”

The most recent estimate for the project was around $240 million.

“We’ve had inflation over the past several years, so the budget for the project since the early study in 2018 has increased,” Hudson said.

Ashby Deatherage, a 2003 graduate of the school, said she’s excited for the future of the school.

“After looking over everything and seeing the proposed new school, I am very excited for the future students that go there,” Deatherage said. “It looks amazing, I wish I had had what they’ve proposed when I was growing up and when I was going there.”

The schematic designs show new tennis courts and larger classrooms. Many agree those new amenities are needed.

“With this new high school, it’s a state-of-the-art facility, lots of sustainable features, lots of day lighting, lots of labs and learning communities that are designed around the student,” Hudson said.

All parties are eager to move forward to make it a reality, “to get to a point where we can give that guaranteed maximum price,” Hudson said, “then get that comprehensive agreement to move forward with the whole project.”

Developers said if the maximum price ends up being too much for the Norfolk School Board and city, there will be alternatives provided.

The original school, built in 1911, has started to deteriorate. Officials said water intrusion has impacted the windows and doors. Some of the structures have required external supports. The heating, cooling and plumbing systems have required extensive repair. The remodeled version of the school will be timeless, built on tradition — and focus on the future.

There are four options to update the structure, varying from more natural light in all the learning spaces, multi-story classroom wings and locker room access directly to the school fields.

“We are going into new technology as we are just growing, there’s a need for it. Especially in education to help with keeping up with the technology. Just the updated facilities, its becoming more modern, it just looked unbelievable,” said Deatherage.