Hendry County breaks ground on new LaBelle High School, district cites $120–130 million estimate

HENDRY COUNTY — Hendry County Schools and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on site for a new LaBelle High School, with district leaders saying the multiyear project will provide modern classrooms, labs and shared spaces for students and teachers.

Mister Swindle, the district superintendent, opened the program, outlined safety and visitor logistics and called the event “absolutely historical.” He said the project has been in planning for roughly 4½ years and that the district expects construction to take about 18 months. He gave a project budget range of $120–130 million.

The principal of LaBelle High School, Tammy Bass, told the crowd the groundbreaking represents “a new era for our community,” saying upgraded facilities, modern labs and collaborative workspaces will better support students and teachers. “When a student walks into the state‑of‑the‑art classroom, it sends a clear message: You are worth this investment,” Bass said.

Student Aaron Gonzales, introduced by Bass, told attendees he and his classmates are “immensely grateful” and said the facility will help the school improve academically. Mayor Julie Wilkins of LaBelle also praised the partnership between the city and the district, saying the new school will be “the front porch of LaBelle.”

District leaders credited a long process of requests for proposals, board approvals, engagement with city staff and support from local legislators in securing funding and approvals. Swindle singled out Grama Design and the construction management team Owens, Aim, Kimbell for their roles in delivering the project and asked the project teams to stand and be recognized.

The program included an invocation by Reverend Preston Long of First Baptist Church of LaBelle and short student presentations; after the remarks the crowd moved to the designated spot on the site for ceremonial shovels and photographs.

Clarifying details announced at the ceremony included a district statement that the project timeline is roughly 18 months and the publicly stated construction cost range of $120–130 million. Speakers also referenced a longer history: Swindle said LaBelle High was built in 1975 and that the county had not built a new school in decades; those timeline remarks were presented as his characterization of the project’s significance.

The district did not present a formal vote or ordinance at the ceremony; officials described prior board approvals and funding steps completed during the planning phase. Attendees were invited to view a mock‑up wall showing the building’s planned finishes and to visit a mobile reading bus and culinary student table set up nearby.

Next steps described by district staff included continuing on‑site construction activities and returning for a ribbon‑cutting once the building is complete, roughly 18 months from now. The ceremony concluded with officials directing guests to the on‑site exhibits and refreshments provided by the culinary program.