Baker School is set to receive a significant upgrade as part of Okaloosa County School District’s recent $175 million bond issuance. The project includes a new 10-classroom addition, aimed at increasing capacity and replacing long-standing portable classrooms.
- Dr. Bill Smith, program director for facilities planning, presented details of the project to the school board during their July 22 meeting.
A key benefit of the project will be the removal of aging portable classrooms. “The most important thing probably for Baker is the seven portables that are sitting there right where this building is going to go will be leaving the facility one way or the other,” Smith emphasized.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers highlighted the significance of this change by referencing Baker School’s Principal Mike Martello: “Sadly, I would say, Mr. Martello attended kindergarten in one of those portables. So we’ll be removing those portables and adding the much needed classroom addition at Baker.”
- The new addition will be similar in design to other recent additions in the district. Smith noted, “It looks very similar to Crestview.” (see here)
The expansion is not just about replacing old structures, but also preparing for future growth. Chambers explained, “The classroom additions at Baker will allow for some extra capacity as the Baker community continues to grow. We also have additional acreage at Baker, if the need were to arise if we had to do something else.”
The project’s layout includes:
- 10 secondary classrooms.
- Additional gang restrooms.
- A connecting walkway back to the existing canopy.
While the district’s other major projects, including the new K-8 school in Crestview and the Destin Elementary expansion, are slated for completion by August 2026, Smith indicated that the Baker addition might be finished sooner.
This project is part of a broader initiative to address capacity issues and aging infrastructure across Okaloosa County schools, ensuring students have modern, safe learning environments.
