Q: Can you give an update on High School “HHH?”
A: At our special school board meeting in early February, we signed a $60 million construction contract for the school. We plan to break ground in early March. The zoning process is already underway, with two Town Hall meetings held in late February. The proposed zoning plan will be available on the school district website shortly and public input is welcomed. I would expect to have the rezoning plan finalized by May.
Q: What is the status of the new K-8 school in Nocatee that will open concurrently with High School “HHH?”
A: The bid is out now for the construction contract for this school. We will award the bid and then begin construction. We are in good shape timewise with both schools.
Q: Has the school district addressed increased staffing?
A: In late February, we held a teacher recruitment fair at Nease. As usual, it was well attended, especially by out of state and out of area candidates. It affords us the opportunity to secure the very best teachers early.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 1?
A: We are keeping our eye on the legislature at this time. Both houses, as well as the governor, are saying they are committed to raising teacher salaries, so we are hopeful about the possibility of giving significant raises to our teachers and staff next year.
I’d also like to say that the school sales tax, now in its fourth year, is helping us tremendously with funding things like upgrading the security in our schools as well as helping us meet the demands of growth by partially funding new school construction. We had originally projected receiving $13 million this year, but we now expect to receive about $20 million.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at beverly.slough@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
