New Polk School Built in 9 Months, and on Budget

Haines City, FL, August 26, 2023 — In July 2023, a public-private partnership between Polk County Schools, Building Tomorrow’s Schools, and Public School Development Solutions delivered on a dream venture— finishing a brand-new public-school facility on time, effectively, and at a considerably decrease value whereas using native sub-contractors— benefitting college students, taxpayers, and the group.

As one of many quickest rising counties in the U.S., Polk County wanted to construct new colleges, and quick. As Polk County School Superintendent Frederick Heid and the School Board searched for methods to rapidly broaden scholar capability with out additional burdening taxpayers, they discovered an answer in a public-private partnership.

Polk County School Board below the management of Superintendent Fred Heid, unanimously accepted the constructing of Scenic Terrace Ok-8 in partnership with Building Tomorrow’s Schools (BTS), a Florida non-profit group created to help public colleges in producing new services as they grapple with rising prices and accelerated timelines. Taking an modern method to new public services development, the Polk School District in collaboration with BTS had been capable of develop the Scenic Terrace Ok-8 faculty venture, a brand new state-of-the-art Ok-8 campus which might serve 1,602 kids, their academics and assist employees. Bringing an extra academic choice to the quickly rising inhabitants and enrollment wants in the world. The prototype was designed by an trade main (*9*), Rene Tercilla of Harvard Jolly, using cutting-edge and district commonplace specs. “I’m very pleased with what we’ve been doing in faculty finance to maximise our return on funding,” explains Frederick Heid, Superintendent Polk County Public Schools.

According to Superintendent Heid: “We had been capable of take part in the design course of to make sure that the whole lot is as much as our high-quality requirements whereas saving cash. I’ve been very excited to see this modern method repay for our college system.”

Florida faculty districts are frequently challenged to navigate inhabitants modifications and academic wants whereas being aware of budgets and taxpayer tasks. Polk leaders have applied an modern follow to satisfy that problem whereas addressing constituent wants and limiting danger, an modern answer different Florida faculty districts could want to take into account, notably in high-growth areas.

On August 10, 2023, the scholars, academics, and assist employees of Scenic Terrace Ok-8 embarked on their yr in their new facility. This wouldn’t have been potential with out the collaborative efforts of Superintendent Frederick Heid and BTS.