'A long time coming': Volusia County Schools to fund Edith Starke, Turie T. Small rebuilds
Two Volusia County elementary schools are expected to finally get rebuilds in the coming years following approval by the school board at its Tuesday night meeting.
New school buildings for Edith I. Starke Elementary in DeLand and Turie T. Small Elementary in Daytona Beach have been "a long time coming," Chair Jamie Haynes said.
"I am excited to hear that both of these schools are going to have new buildings because every student deserves a wonderful place to learn," she said. "They've got great teachers and staffs at both of those schools that have poured their hearts into those kids, and I think it’s time."
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Both schools have been promised new buildings in past years that haven't panned out, so the board members were supportive of shifting funds away from other school upgrades in favor of the elementary rebuilds finally materializing.
More funding needed for Turie T. Small Elementary
The school board reviewed proposed changes to its five-year capital plan earlier on Tuesday at a workshop, when Chief Operating Officer Earl Johnson detailed additional funding that will be needed for Turie T. Small's planned rebuild.
$24 million had been set aside for the school's master plan renovation during the 2021-22 school year, but $16 million in additional funding is needed for 2022-23 due to material and cost increases. Another $9 million is needed for 2023-24.
That more than doubles the total cost to $49 million, which school board members questioned, asking staff to look into other counties and construction companies to compare costs.
Early plans for the school incorporated natural light, open and collaborative spaces and energy efficiency, though Johnson said they are no longer looking to install solar panels. The school is planned for a vacant property north of Turie T. Small Elementary and east of Campbell Middle School.
Board favors rebuild of Starke Elementary
Johnson told board members that a building replacement study from January determined Edith I. Starke Elementary could be renovated or rebuilt, though the presentation stated replacement "is more economical than the rehabilitation of the existing buildings."
Board members generally supported razing the buildings, which were originally constructed from 1956 to 1989. The school also has nine portables, including six classrooms, two restrooms and one mechanical room.
An additional $19.75 million will be needed to complete Starke's renovations and additions.
The school's enrollment is at 296 students despite a permanent capacity of 577. There are only 321 students who currently live in the school's zone and the new school will be built to accommodate 650 students, Johnson said, so the district will need to rezone elementary schools on the west side of the county to better distribute capacity.
Board member Ruben Colón listed off-capacity numbers for neighboring schools, which averaged a 99.9% occupancy rate. For next year, Citrus Grove, DeBary, Manatee Cove, Orange City and Woodward Avenue elementary schools are all projected over 100% capacity and a handful more are over 90%. Starke Elementary is only projected at 65%.
"Looking at the neighboring schools which are exceedingly over, I believe that would support the ability to build and fill a complete school," Colón said at the workshop.
The rezoning would save the district costs at some of the neighboring schools by preventing other additions.
"I don’t like putting Band-Aids on things," Vice Chair Anita Burnette said at the workshop. "Our goal is to make sure we’re doing the right thing for the kids, and so the right thing for the kids at Edith Starke is to rebuild that school."
Board member Carl Persis agreed and said they need to make the new school a place where parents will want to send their kids, which could include adding special programs like performing arts, dual language or gifted programs.
"It’s not just the facility — a brand new facility always attracts people. That’s nice. It’s what’s happening in that facility that really attracts people," he said.
Starke Elementary posted on Facebook on Tuesday night that "our students and community deserve this school," and that they are "incredibly grateful."
Elementary rebuilds mean tradeoff for several school upgrades
District staff recommended reserving funds from several other projects to allow for the rebuilds:
DeBary Elementary: Upgrade HVAC, ceiling and lighting
DeLand High School: Upgrade HVAC
Deltona Transportation: Site improvements
Heritage Middle School: Upgrade chiller, HVAC, ceiling and lighting
Hinson Middle School: Upgrade HVAC and lighting
Indian River Elementary: Upgrade HVAC, ceiling and lighting
Mainland High School: Upgrade site lighting
New Smyrna Beach Middle School: Replace millwork
Various schools: Parking lot improvements
Spruce Creek High School: Classroom addition and auditorium remodeling
Most of the projects are only for a few buildings on each campus, and Johnson says some phases have already been completed, so the HVAC systems are not completely outdated, for example.
Delaying those projects will reduce the district's capital budget by more than $32.5 million, which will cover the proposed increases for the two elementary schools next year. The other projects will be pushed out to 2024 and possibly 2025.
The board unanimously approved the changes to the capital plan. Along with the rezoning, the district will need to submit materials to the state to justify doing a master plan for Starke rather than renovations.
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia school board approves Edith Starke, Turie T. Small rebuilds
