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Central Florida Aviation Academy expansion proposed; district cautioned on infrastructure costs and contract terms
Summary
Staff briefed the board on a possible expansion of the Central Florida Aviation Academy at Winter Haven Airport and noted the donor/partner is seeking district support for infrastructure; board asked for contract clarifications before any commitment.
The Polk County School Board heard an update on plans to expand the Central Florida Aviation Academy (CFAA) campus at Winter Haven Airport and was told Sun 'n Fun and other partners are exploring a proposal that would require roadway and infrastructure work the donor group is asking the district to help fund.
Superintendent Hyde summarized the history of CFAA and said the Lakeland campus and Winter Haven satellite are both in high demand. He told the board that Sun 'n Fun has expressed interest in funding construction of a new Winter Haven facility but has asked the board to consider committing to infrastructure assistance. Hyde told the board that Sun 'n Fun and others "have asked for the school board to potentially commit anywhere from 3 to 5,000,000 dollars to assist with infrastructure." He also noted the original contract for CFAA is complex and that the district’s counsel will need to review and simplify language around lease terms and ownership.
Why it matters: CFAA is a high‑demand career pathway; expanding access reduces travel barriers for students in parts of the county. Board members signaled program support but expressed caution about committing district capital to airport infrastructure that primarily benefits the airport.
Discussion highlights - Lease and ownership questions: Board members asked for clarity on the existing lease language, renewal terms and when ownership (if applicable) would transfer to the district; Hyde and others said the contract's language around post‑2036 options needs clarification. - Cost allocation and stewardship: Mr. Keyes said he was “not in favor of supporting any kind of developmental costs … of the airport itself” and urged caution about district funding for road/extensions that serve the airport rather than the school building. - Donor status: Hyde said he had been told a donor or donor family may provide funding similar to the original donor who paid for the Lakeland site; he asked staff to verify who the donor group is and whether commitments are firm. - Next steps: Hyde asked counsel and staff to review the contract, refine the fee and reimbursement language, and return to the board with a clarified agreement and a refined estimate of infrastructure costs.
No formal board action was taken at the workshop; staff will return with a cleaned contract draft, refined cost estimates and partner commitment letters.
