Charlotte County Public Schools will ask the state for $30 million to fund a new Port Charlotte Middle School that was heavily damaged during Hurricane Ian more than 13 months ago. The funding request was added to the school board’s legislative agenda during a workshop session earlier this month.
This funding would be for the first phase of the project that’s expected to cost upward of $90 million. The price tag includes building an academy for training students in various skills on the campus. The school district also would ask the county to help with a portion of the new school’s cost, as the new school would be used as a hurricane shelter.
In addition, the school board will request $5.5 million to build classrooms and training facilities on Charlotte County Airport Authority property for aviation airframe and aviation powerplant mechanics programs run through Charlotte Technical College.
Prior to approving the legislative agenda, board member Robert Segur expressed reservations about the funding request and questioned where the rest of the funding will come from for the middle school.
“We can send in the forms, but I think the cart is still in front of the horse. There’s still $60 million we have to find to fund the project,” Segur said.
Segur said the board should seek direction from district Chief Financial Officer Gregory Griner.
“I would want to know personally that the community is behind the decision before we agree to fund the additional $60 million,” Segur said.
Segur speculated the makeup of the Florida Legislature could change next year and might decide not to fund the next phases of the project.
“We’re helping 600 kids at the expense of 16,000,” Segur said, referring to student enrollment in the district.
Griner said the $60 million would be spread out over a decade.
Board member John LeClair said no capital projects were ongoing at the middle school, and a new building would save on insurance.
Chair Cara Reynolds said if another hurricane occurs, the air conditioning units, which were installed on the roof, might again be blown around and cause the same sort of damages as Hurricane Ian.
Students were moved to temporary classrooms on campus while water intrusion and other damages were remediated.
Port Charlotte Middle School was built in 1970 when construction and building codes were different. No longer are HVAC units installed on the roof, but when the middle school was repaired, the units were replaced and remain on the roof.
The fate of the middle school also was discussed in 2008, at which time Charlotte County commissioner Joe Tiseo met with the school board. A new building was proposed but never came to fruition.
Board member Kim Amontree said in 2008 the proposed cost for a new building was $38 million. She said she wouldn’t want future boards saddled with having to rebuild when construction costs would be even higher.
Griner said there would be options to fund a new school, such as asking voters to decide via a referendum next year.
Segur said he would be more comfortable moving ahead knowing the community supported rebuilding the school.
The board moved ahead and is filing its legislative agenda with multiple forms before the Nov. 14 deadline.
The Florida Legislative delegation hearing takes place Nov. 20, when county officials will present their needs in Tallahassee.
The next school board regular meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at 1445 Education Way in Port Charlotte. Its workshop is held at 9:30 a.m. at the same location.
