MORGANTON, N.C. -- The cost to build a new North Carolina School of Science and Math is going up by about 30 percent.

• The cost of the new school is now about $80 million
• Officials say new school should expand enrollment by 300 students
• New school will be located on West Fleming Drive
• The public school’s main campus is in Durham         

Voters approved spending nearly $60 million to build the school, but now the price tag has gone up another $20 million.

“Put all that together with the market conditions that have dramatically shifted since 2014, and we now have a projected cost of $78 million,” planning director Kevin Baxter said.

He says they are working with state legislators to secure $15 million from appropriations.

“The remaining $5 million that we need, our institution is committed to raising that privately from those interested in investing in this really once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he said.

Officials say they are hoping to bring a unique educational experience to talented students in western North Carolina.