Osceola County staff outline $683 million facilities program, school‑site plans and construction pressures

Dave Sharma, a facilities staff member, told the school board the district’s “overall facilities construction program to date is about $683,000,000” and reviewed roughly 80 active projects across Osceola County.

The presentation, delivered at a facilities workshop, covered projects in design and construction, recent completions and the district’s funding mix. “We have roughly about 80 odd projects, 23 of which is design, 38 in construction, and … 20 projects that are in closeout,” Sharma said, adding that staff prioritized work that produces the largest impact on student outcomes.

Why it matters: the projects include new schools and major renovations the district says are needed to meet current building codes and avoid portable classrooms. Sharma said funding comes from several restricted sources: education impact fees for new student stations (about $12,000 for a new single‑family home), the half‑penny sales tax for renovations, and a quarter‑cent county sales tax the district shares to fund infrastructure such as transportation depots.

Key projects and timelines

Sharma gave project updates: Nova Lakes High School is on track for substantial completion and occupancy in about five weeks, though access depends on a county road (Bluebird Parkway) that a private developer is building and that the county must approve. “Our expectation is substantial completion, which would give us occupancy of the…