The School District of Manatee County held a groundbreaking ceremony for a two-story classroom addition at Buffalo Creek Middle School in Palmetto on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Speakers included Principal Brad Scarbrough, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, Board Chair Rev. James Golden, Director of Construction Services Bill Horton and Project Director Reginald Goff.
"Every tree has roots and bears fruit. The roots for this building were planted many, many months, maybe even years ago. The fruit that this building will bear, does not yet appear to us. And so we just simply say thank you for the opportunity to allow us to be the caretakers in this garden of public education," said School Board Chair, Rev. James Golden.
After a few short words, the group participated in a ceremonial turning of the dirt.
The new building was approved by the School Board of Manatee County in May 2021.
Funding is possible thanks to the half-cent sales tax referendum approved by voters in 2016.
The new addition is scheduled to open in August 2023.
It will house 1,151 student stations and include seven classrooms and a lab on the second floor.
The first floor will consist of a new media center, TV production area, support spaces and storage.
This project also includes a remodeling of the existing media center to include three business, robotics and engineering labs.
The project budget is $12 million.
The architect is Zyscovich Architects with construction by Skanska USA.
