The way has been cleared for seven new classrooms, more parking space and changes in the traffic pattern at Pisgah High School.

On Monday, school officials got the OK from the Haywood County Commissioners to address the crowded conditions at the easternmost high school in the county. The approval clears the way for the county to approach the N.C. Local Government Commission about financing the project. School leaders plan to fund the $1.8 million project with a loan to be repaid by a portion the state lottery proceeds over a 10-year period.

The project, explained school maintenance supervisor Tracy Hargrove, is badly needed. Currently there are five teachers who don’t even have a classroom. Instead, they carry all their teaching materials on a cart and rove from room to room during other ...