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Academy of Environmental Science reports repairs, rising enrollment and hurricane recovery
Summary
The principal of the Academy of Environmental Science told the school board the program is repairing storm damage, planning elevator and floor repairs, and reported current enrollment of about 122 students with a long wait list; staff and community volunteers helped reopen the campus after recent storms.
Bernie Hopper, principal of the Academy of Environmental Science (AES), told the Citrus County School Board that AES is “going strong” and that the school is recovering from hurricane damage with repairs scheduled this summer, including a long‑awaited elevator replacement and floor joist work.
Hurricane recovery and repairs Hopper said the campus experienced water damage during the storm, with up to six feet of water under part of the building and localized damage to power boxes, the screen room and storage areas. He credited volunteer parents, local businesses (including Washburn Roofing), a parent who is a master electrician, and utility coordination with Duke Energy for restoring power and reopening the campus promptly.
Enrollment and programs Hopper reported current confirmed enrollment at AES of 122 students and a long confirmed wait list; the program received more than 300 applications but some were repeat submissions. The school uses a screening process and lottery to select students and maintains a confirmed wait list for openings. Hopper said the program has strong community and board support and that fundraising (noted later in the meeting by the Citrus County Education Foundation) helps cover repairs and classroom needs.
Safety and operations AES has a trained, armed guardian on campus during school hours, Hopper said, and practices site‑specific drills. Board members asked about sewer and related infrastructure; Hopper reported a recently completed, operational sewer project and said district legislators helped secure legislative appropriations.
Why it matters AES is a specialized district program with unique facilities and operational needs; elevator and structural repairs are essential for accessibility and ongoing program delivery. The reported enrollment and wait list indicate strong demand for the program within the county.
Clarifying details - Enrollment: 122 confirmed students; more than 300 applications received (some duplicates); confirmed wait list exists. - Damage from hurricane: up to 6 feet of water under portions of the building; power and exterior repairs addressed; elevator replacement and floor joist replacements planned for summer. - Community support: Washburn Roofing and other donors and volunteers assisted with repairs; Citrus County Education Foundation helped with fundraising for immediate needs.
Outlook Hopper said he is confident AES will secure the funding and complete building repairs in the coming months and that program planning is in place for the next school year.
