HERTFORD – Hundreds of students in Hertford began the school year in the brand-new Perquimans Intermediate School, built with the help of $40 million in lottery-funded grants for school construction.

“I’ve never hit the lottery, but it feels like I hit the lottery,” shared Laura Moreland, director of alternative learning & student engagement. “I mean, when you have a chance in a community like this, to build something of this size.”

Educators reflected on the moment they found out Perquimans County would be awarded the grant in 2022.

“We just looked at each other, and we started jumping up and down and hugging and screaming and running through the office,” recalled Dr. Tanya Turner, who retired as superintendent of Perquimans County Schools in June.

This is one of 10 new school buildings in the state to open in 2026 using lottery-funded grants through the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund.

“We would have never had this opportunity otherwise, so we are truly grateful,” shared Heather Dail, 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year. As a STEM instructor, Dail expressed excitement over the upgraded technology in the new facility.

Spanning over 150,000 square feet, the new campus brings two schools under one roof. Replacing Hertford Grammar School and Perquimans County Middle School, both 3-5 and 6-8 grade wings were intentionally designed with efficiency, security, and unity in mind.

Superintendent Dr. Shawn Wilson and Assistant Superintendent Dr. John Lassiter kicked off the 2026-27 school year in August with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an open house for students and families to see their new building for the first time.

A shared vision of the board of education, school administration, and county officials led to Perquimans County securing the needs-based grant.. An additional $12 million from lottery funds was awarded last year thanks to a surplus of $141 million raised by the lottery in fiscal year 2025.. Eligible counties can apply for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 grant cycle through the Department of Public Instruction until October 2.

Over the last 20 years, the lottery has provided over $53 million to support education in Perquimans County.