In July of 2023, a significant achievement took place in Polk County, Florida, as a public-private partnership between Polk County Schools, Building Tomorrow’s Schools, and Public School Development Solutions successfully completed the construction of a new public-school facility. This project was not only completed on time and efficiently, but it also came at a significantly lower cost while utilizing local subcontractors. The completion of this new facility has had a positive impact on students, taxpayers, and the community as a whole.
Polk County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and the need for new schools was urgent. As the Polk County School Superintendent Frederick Heid and the School Board searched for ways to quickly expand student capacity without further burdening taxpayers, they found a solution in a public-private partnership.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Fred Heid, the Polk County School Board unanimously approved the construction of the Scenic Terrace K-8 in partnership with Building Tomorrow’s Schools (BTS). BTS is a Florida non-profit organization created to assist public schools in producing new facilities as they grapple with rising costs and accelerated timelines. This innovative approach to new public facilities construction has resulted in the development of the Scenic Terrace K-8 school project, a new state-of-the-art K-8 campus which can serve 1,602 children, their teachers, and support staff.
The prototype for the new school was designed by the industry-leading Architect, Rene Tercilla of Harvard Jolly, utilizing state-of-the-art specifications. “I’m very proud of what we’ve been doing in school finance to maximize our return on investment,” explains Frederick Heid, Superintendent of Polk County Public Schools. He added, “We were able to participate in the design process to ensure that everything is up to our high-quality standards while saving money. I’ve been very excited to see this innovative approach pay off for our school system.”
In Florida, school districts are continuously challenged to navigate population changes and educational needs while being mindful of budgets and taxpayer responsibilities. Polk County leaders have implemented an innovative practice to meet that challenge, addressing constituent needs and limiting risk. This innovative solution may be a model for other Florida school districts, particularly in high-growth areas.
On August 10, 2023, the students, teachers, and support staff of Scenic Terrace K-8 embarked on their academic year in their new facility. This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of Superintendent Frederick Heid and BTS.
The completion of the Scenic Terrace K-8 project is an exemplary demonstration of what can be achieved through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. The positive impact of this project extends beyond the educational community, benefitting taxpayers and the broader Polk County community. This achievement sets a precedent for future public-school facility projects and serves as a testament to the success that can be achieved through collaboration and forward-thinking initiatives.
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