Houston County BOE buys more land for Rehobeth High

By Jim Cook

Published: June 19, 2008

The Houston County Board of Education on Monday made an investment in Rehobeth High School’s future.

The board voted on Thursday to purchase about 16.649 acres near the high school from land owner Terry Anderson. The land is adjacent to about 14.5 acres purchased earlier this year.

Anderson’s land cost the board $15,000 per acre, putting the total sale price at $249,735.

Houston County School Superintendent Tim Pitchford said the move was consistent with a standing board policy of buying land adjacent to county schools whenever it becomes available. Pitchford cited the purchase of more than 80 acres near Wicksburg High School a few years ago as an example.

According to Pitchford, it’s important that schools have room to grow. A potential rise in property values may have also prompted the board to act now before prices increase.

“We don’t know what the future is going to bring,” he said. “...Country Crossings, we don’t know what that’s going to bring.”

Rehobeth’s elementary, middle and high schools have experienced a steady enrollment increase, growing from 1,587 students in 1995 to more than 2,000 today. Real estate and business experts say Rehobeth’s growth is being fueled by Dothan’s westward expansion and the quality of the town’s schools.

Rehobeth recently built a new high school to accomodate the growth. The $11.2 million high school was completed in 2003.