The Fayette County Board of Education voted on Monday night to authorize the purchase of land to build a new middle school.

Fayette County Public Schools said the board voted unanimously at its meeting on Monday night.

School officials say they plan to buy the roughly 20 acres of land on Squires Road from Kentucky American Water for $103,000 an acre.

School officials say the purchase is not final until after the district completes several due diligence steps and receives final approval from the Kentucky Department of Education.

“Today’s board decision will help us keep pace with the ongoing housing construction in northeast Lexington,” FCPS superintendent Manny Caulk said. “We don’t want to be reactive; our goal is to stay ahead of the expansion.”

Officials say the district will pay for the land with roughly $2.06 million in facilities funding that is only allowed to be used for capital projects.

School officials say they are revising current plans so the new middle school will be able to make room for 1,000 students.