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Nassau board hears multi-school construction plan, seeks DOE guidance and to add measures to June 18 agenda
Summary
Dr. Burns presented a three-school capital plan for Yulee, Fernandina Beach and Callahan, with preliminary cost estimates, timelines and required Florida Department of Education (DOE) approvals; the board agreed to add the items to the June 18 agenda for further direction.
Dr. Burns presented a district capital plan focused on three major projects—repurposing Yulee Primary and building a new K–5 school to rebalance enrollment with Wildlight, substantial renovations and additions at Fernandina Beach, and options for Callahan Elementary—urging board approval to begin architect-led planning.
Why it matters: the projects together would reshape elementary capacity across growth corridors in the county, use bond or capital dollars, and require state-level approvals that affect timing and funding.
Dr. Burns laid out preliminary estimates and sequencing. He said renovations at Yulee Elementary are roughly $5 million, a new Yulee-area elementary could cost $45–50 million depending on design, and he gave a preliminary two-year build-out expectation for a typical elementary, noting that a careful planning and architect process is needed to firm numbers. "A two-year build out is not an unreasonable time for an elementary school," Dr. Burns said.
On Fernandina Beach, Dr. Burns said the work would include a new media center, cafeteria, about 20 new classrooms and updated furniture, fixtures and equipment; he estimated a planning-level cost in the mid-30s of millions and stressed the district must petition the Florida Department of Education (DOE) to amend the five-year plan before some changes can proceed.
Callahan prompted the most divergent views. Dr. Burns described two options: relocate Callahan Elementary to the intermediate campus or build a new elementary (projected $33–38 million). Board members raised traffic-safety and expandability concerns if the elementary functions were combined at the intermediate campus. One board member said, "I wouldn't put any more money in that building at all," citing limited expandability and traffic on US 1.
Board members debated sequencing and financing. A planning advisor, Ford & Associates, recommended anchoring financing on a larger anchor project (Dr. Burns suggested new Yulee Elementary) and then allocating funds for the other projects; several members urged a comprehensive strategic vision for all district facilities to produce consistent cost and financing estimates.
Next steps: the board asked staff to add the capital-plan items to the advertised June 18 meeting and to contact DOE for petition guidance so the board can receive more detail on June 18. No formal vote or appropriation was recorded at the meeting; Dr. Burns sought consensus to proceed with planning and architect engagement.
The presentation also included enrollment and rezoning estimates to balance three K–5 schools in the Yulee area and projected longer-term savings from removing portable classrooms.
Ending: the board agreed to include the items on the June 18 agenda and requested DOE guidance and more detailed financial packaging from Ford & Associates before making binding commitments.
