The Lakeland Ledger reports that the project, which broke ground last September, encompasses more than 183,000 square feet of facilities, including a central courtyard and new cafeteria. The new buildings have improved energy efficiency and upgraded safety features.
The campus opened in 1956 as a junior high school and by 1992 it had become a middle school for grades six through eight. The modernization is adding 297 additional student stations, raising capacity to 1,350 stations.
Funding for the $55 million renovation comes from impact fees and the county's half-cent sales tax, which voters renewed in 2018.
Mike Kennedy has been writing about education forAmerican School & Universitysince 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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