By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
New culinary and medical labs are just a few of the new features coming to Mandarin High School with the construction of a building addition funded by the voter-approved, half-cent sales tax. Expected to be completed by the fall of 2025, this building addition will also result in the removal of 19 portables.
“This is a beacon of progress for Mandarin High School,” said School Board member Dr. Lori Hershey at the groundbreaking on March 13. “It addresses critical needs for additional classroom space and state- of-the- arts facilities to advance culinary arts and the medical arts here at Mandarin High School. Investing in Mandarin today is clearly an investment that will benefit students and our community.”
As a resident of Mandarin, superintendent Dr. Dana Kriznar shared how this was extra special for her. It goes beyond right-sizing the school and demolishing the portables (which are two fundamental goals of the district’s Master Facility Plan).
“It’s about making a strong investment in the quality of the student experience at this great school,” said Dr. Kriznar. “It’s about making a great school even better.”
Noting that Mandarin High School has a College and Career Acceleration Rating of 85 percent — significantly higher than neighboring Creekside and Bartram Trail high schools — Dr. Kriznar said her goal is to provide students a learning experience to help them build their resumes and stand out among their peers. This new building will help achieve that.
“I know I speak for many of us when I say how gratifying it is to see this level of investment in what we do for our students,” said Dr. Kriznar in reference to the voter-approved, half-penny sales tax. “This is only possible because voters said yes.”
Graduating senior Jasmine Sank won’t be around when the new building addition is complete, but as a leader in the school and in the medical administrative assistant program, she said she is excited for her younger classmates.
“I think this is great for the medical academy,” said Sank. “I’m really happy that they’re going to be able to enjoy all the opportunities and resources that this will provide them. I think this will definitely help them in their career journey.”
Budgeted at more than $32 million, the project also includes an asphalt overlay and restriping of the school’s driver’s education course.
For Principal Sara Bravo, this investment in the school will unite the Mandarin community as they witness a promise being fulfilled.
“To be able to see all of those students, teachers, community members, and district leaders all come together for the school I have the privilege to lead is a little overwhelming,” said Bravo. “I am going to think about this day for a long time, and I’m just excited to get started.”
Photo courtesy Duval County Public Schools
Ceremonial groundbreaking at Mandarin High School.
