Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Okaloosa school construction update: cafeteria conversions, new schools, HVAC and parking projects advancing
Summary
District staff reported progress across dozens of projects funded by sales tax and other sources, including cafeteria-to-classroom conversions (mostly four classrooms per site), Crestview K‑8, Pine View vertical construction, HVAC and parking work.
District construction staff reviewed a multi-page status report on April 28, detailing work across sales-tax and other funded projects, including cafeteria renovations, auditorium and roof work, HVAC upgrades, new school construction and districtwide parking and paving.
Presenters said the cafeteria conversions are designed to produce about four classrooms at most sites, with a few schools able to fit five. Major projects under way or starting soon include the new Crestview K‑8 school, Pine View vertical construction (iron is arriving), a Destin elementary cluster project and a 10-classroom addition at Baker School.
Staff reported that auditorium upgrades and several roofing jobs are complete and under warranty, that HVAC work at Mariesafer (sic) Elementary and Fort Walton Beach High School is done or nearing completion, and that parking and paving phases at Crestview are through demolition and moving toward paving and curbing.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers and board members praised the pace of work and the professional design elements such as curbing and lighting in the parking projects. The construction presenter noted supply issues and site utilities have delayed some work but said power and water problems at Pine View are expected to be resolved within about 30 days to accelerate progress.
Why it matters: The sales-tax and 1.5 projects affect capacity, safety and program delivery across the district. The classroom conversions are intended to relieve space pressure by repurposing underused cafeteria spaces into instruction rooms.
Board members and staff said more detailed budget and schedule information appears in the full 14-page report available from facilities staff.
