Middle school construction approved
Emerald Coast Middle School now has a construction schedule. Construction is scheduled to start in September with completion in May of 2011. If there are no hurricanes slowing it down, the new school should be occupied by June of 2011.
A list of the schools in South Walton demonstrated that most would be operating over their capacity if the portable units were removed. Even those not over capacity are close to it.
District Planner Tom Blackshear said they are projecting growth and the schools could be over capacity. Blackshear also noted projects coming to the area like the new airport.
Walton Middle School principal Gail Smith talked about the shared facility with Butler. She said the staff is able to make the lunch room and gym work as they still grow. She talked abut the lack of student opportunities due to lack of space and facilities. She said it is a great school, but a new middle school is something South Walton needs.
The Board was also told that 300 of Butler's 700 students are in K-3rd grade. Blackshear said the DOE projections reflect this.
Another problem is the lack of room for ESE students with disabilities. Superintendent Carlene Anderson said she has concern for the ESE students and the space some students critically need. She also noted how surrounding districts are losing students, while Walton is gaining. Anderson said she does not know why Walton is not matching the trend in most other parts of the state.
The project's architect said he is getting calls from contractors and subcontractors about the school. He said the work would help with stimulating the economy and, in light of the student numbers, now is the time to start the project
Board member Mark Davis asked about staffing, even when you transfer the current employees. He said this would be a gamble -will they be able to staff the school when it is built?
Finance Director Jim McCall said he is concerned with the public understanding the difference in the types of budgets and how the Board is building a multi-million dollar school when laying people off.
Davis said part of the $20 million will stay in the local economy and with the room needed, it might be time to stop talking doom and gloom and go ahead with the project.
Anderson said, with the continued growth in student population pushing over 100 percent capacity, the new airport and budget numbers expected to start improving, she would agree with Davis.
Davis said the downside is the possibility of building a school and not being able to open it right away. If the budget does not change as expected, the new Walton Middle could be a school with chains on its doors. Davis said, "If the economy is that bad when the school is completed, then we will likely have several closed schools."
Anderson recommended approval of the schedule and documents for the construction of the new Emerald Coast Middle School. She reminded the Board of their ability to delay accepting bids. The motion passed 5-0.
