Lyons Farm Elementary School

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Consultation has concluded

Nearly a decade ago, Durham Public Schools purchased 50+ acres off of Scott King Road - land that was once owned and operated as the Lyons' family farm. With growth and development in Southern Durham continuing in the years ahead, there is an urgent need for additional elementary school seats to provide equitable opportunities for all DPS students, present and future. The site and location for this new school along Scott King Road are ideal in support of DPS’ Strategic Plan to provide all DPS students with a rich education connected to the community. 


Southern Durham’s lush agricultural and cultural landscape provides a fitting backdrop to the community’s deep and complex history. The heavily wooded area nestled in Durham County along Scott King Road is a mosaic of old, historic farmhouses and the fast-growing housing developments rising out of the thicketed forest. This area of Southern Durham was once the site of a bustling tobacco boom that supported small- to large-scale family farms raising livestock and other crops. For many families, especially African Americans, this land represented community, thriving commerce, freedom, and financial stability. 

One such historic family was the Lyons' family, who worked the land as many of Durham’s families during this time. The Lyons owned a piece of property that was around 70 acres and leased portions of it out to tobacco farmers. Through post-reconstruction and much of the 20th Century, the Lyon family fought legally, emotionally, and sometimes physically to keep their land and protect their livelihood. Through their farm, the Lyons' family was one of many African-American families that contributed to the growth and economic opportunities for Durham. 


Now, construction is underway at the school site off of Scott King Road and is expected to continue through Summer 2022. As the project progresses, important information and updates will be shared. 



November/December 2021 Update:

DPS leaders met with Creekside Elementary and Parkwood Elementary families to discuss the Student Assignment Plan for Lyons Farm Elementary.


The presentation can be found in the Documents tab in the righthand column of this page.


The recording of the November 30 meeting can be found in the videos tab in the righthand column of this page.


For a larger version of the Lyons Farm School Boundary Map, please select Photos.





Principal Announcement: James Hopkins has been named Principal of Lyons Farm Elementary. Learn more.


October 2021 Update: https://youtu.be/SyiHqiPzt2o


View images from the October 14 Topping Off Ceremony


June 24, 2021 Update:

South Wing (Gym/Cafeteria)-

  1. Secondary interior walls in progress
  2. Electrical Mechanical water piping in overhead areas in progress

East Wing (Classrooms)-

  1. Structural steel beams being installed for the second floor
  2. Metal decking for floors being installed for the second floor
  3. Elevator shaft walls being erected

West Wing (Classrooms/Admin)-

  1. Load-bearing walls being installed
  2. Doorframes set in place on the main hallway
  3. Plumbing and electrical rough-in work in progress

Sitework:

  1. West entrance road is in progress
  2. NCDOT approved roadwork along Scott King Road has started, neighbors should expect daily lane closures from now through early September 2021.


May 17, 2021 Update:

In the upcoming week, the following will be taking place on site:

  • East Classroom Wing wall construction continues
  • West Administration and Classroom Wing wall construction starts
  • South Wing Gym, Kitchen and Cafeteria low roof framing and decking material to be installed outside of cafeteria
  • Construction Site land management progress continues
  • Construction company will install “No Construction Traffic” signs at neighborhood entrances to deter construction vehicles.

No scheduled after-hours activities planned

Nearly a decade ago, Durham Public Schools purchased 50+ acres off of Scott King Road - land that was once owned and operated as the Lyons' family farm. With growth and development in Southern Durham continuing in the years ahead, there is an urgent need for additional elementary school seats to provide equitable opportunities for all DPS students, present and future. The site and location for this new school along Scott King Road are ideal in support of DPS’ Strategic Plan to provide all DPS students with a rich education connected to the community. 


Southern Durham’s lush agricultural and cultural landscape provides a fitting backdrop to the community’s deep and complex history. The heavily wooded area nestled in Durham County along Scott King Road is a mosaic of old, historic farmhouses and the fast-growing housing developments rising out of the thicketed forest. This area of Southern Durham was once the site of a bustling tobacco boom that supported small- to large-scale family farms raising livestock and other crops. For many families, especially African Americans, this land represented community, thriving commerce, freedom, and financial stability. 

One such historic family was the Lyons' family, who worked the land as many of Durham’s families during this time. The Lyons owned a piece of property that was around 70 acres and leased portions of it out to tobacco farmers. Through post-reconstruction and much of the 20th Century, the Lyon family fought legally, emotionally, and sometimes physically to keep their land and protect their livelihood. Through their farm, the Lyons' family was one of many African-American families that contributed to the growth and economic opportunities for Durham. 


Now, construction is underway at the school site off of Scott King Road and is expected to continue through Summer 2022. As the project progresses, important information and updates will be shared. 



November/December 2021 Update:

DPS leaders met with Creekside Elementary and Parkwood Elementary families to discuss the Student Assignment Plan for Lyons Farm Elementary.


The presentation can be found in the Documents tab in the righthand column of this page.


The recording of the November 30 meeting can be found in the videos tab in the righthand column of this page.


For a larger version of the Lyons Farm School Boundary Map, please select Photos.





Principal Announcement: James Hopkins has been named Principal of Lyons Farm Elementary. Learn more.


October 2021 Update: https://youtu.be/SyiHqiPzt2o


View images from the October 14 Topping Off Ceremony


June 24, 2021 Update:

South Wing (Gym/Cafeteria)-

  1. Secondary interior walls in progress
  2. Electrical Mechanical water piping in overhead areas in progress

East Wing (Classrooms)-

  1. Structural steel beams being installed for the second floor
  2. Metal decking for floors being installed for the second floor
  3. Elevator shaft walls being erected

West Wing (Classrooms/Admin)-

  1. Load-bearing walls being installed
  2. Doorframes set in place on the main hallway
  3. Plumbing and electrical rough-in work in progress

Sitework:

  1. West entrance road is in progress
  2. NCDOT approved roadwork along Scott King Road has started, neighbors should expect daily lane closures from now through early September 2021.


May 17, 2021 Update:

In the upcoming week, the following will be taking place on site:

  • East Classroom Wing wall construction continues
  • West Administration and Classroom Wing wall construction starts
  • South Wing Gym, Kitchen and Cafeteria low roof framing and decking material to be installed outside of cafeteria
  • Construction Site land management progress continues
  • Construction company will install “No Construction Traffic” signs at neighborhood entrances to deter construction vehicles.

No scheduled after-hours activities planned

Consultation has concluded

  • District Policy 9300: Naming Facilities

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    The board considers naming facilities to be a significant endeavor as the name of a facility can reflect upon the students, staff, school system, and community.

    The superintendent shall involve the staff and students assigned to the facility and the students' parents in the process of identifying possible names for a new school facility or facility being renamed. The superintendent shall consider the following criteria as well as other factors the superintendent determines to be relevant in identifying potential names for the facility.

    1. The name should not be so similar to the names of existing facilities as to cause confusion.
    2. Schools usually will be named after townships, regions, community characteristics, geographic location or similar site-specific identifiers, such as roads, streets, natural or historical features.
    3. The name should include a designation of the type of school, such as elementary, middle or high, or a brief description of a specialized kind of school.
    4. Schools may be named for individuals upon group nomination. Name in honor or memory of an individual who has helped students in this school system succeed through educational leadership may be considered. Though the name of an educational leader of prominence and reputation beyond the school system may also be considered, priority will be given to the names of educational leaders who have directly or indirectly helped students in this school system to succeed.
      1. Nominated persons must be recommended and sponsored through a sizeable or recognizable group nomination (e.g., faculty, students, PTA, advisory council). Individual nominations are not permitted. No entire facility shall be named for any individual until such time as that individual has been deceased for a period of no less than five (5) years.
    5. Individual buildings, rooms or areas within buildings, or other structures on school campuses may be named in memory or honor of persons who have rendered extraordinary service to the school system, community, or nation.
    6. Notwithstanding the above provisions, individual buildings, rooms or areas within buildings, or other structures on school campuses named prior to adoption of this policy may continue to bear names which do not conform to the adopted standard.

    Changing Facility Names

    When the use of a school or other facility changes, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the superintendent and/or school administration, may change the name of the building. The process to select a new name should be consistent with the procedures followed in naming a new school or facility. Notwithstanding the above provision, existing schools with a complete grade-level organizational change or schools formed by the merger of two or more previously existing schools, may continue to bear names which do not conform to the adopted standards.

    The superintendent shall establish regulations for developing a list of recommended names for the board to consider. The process should be sensitive to the historical and cultural context of the building and may include, to the extent feasible, input from the actual or proposed school community.

    The superintendent shall submit the recommended name or a limited list of recommended names to the board for approval.

    Legal References: G.S. 115C-36, -47

    Cross References:

    Adopted: August 27, 2020