The Okaloosa County School Board on Monday unanimously approved a land exchange agreement to acquire a 30-acre parcel in the Deer Moss Creek development in Niceville for a potential future school site.
- As part of the exchange, developer Ruckel Properties will receive a 25-acre property owned by the board on Lancaster Drive in Niceville, as well as additional financial consideration to make up the difference in land value.
The board voted 4-0 (Linda Evanchyk was absent) during its evening meeting to finalize the deal after holding a public hearing.
The land swap aims to allow the district to keep pace with growth in the residential Deer Moss Creek community that could boost enrollment and require additional classroom space down the road, according to the OCSD.
- Nearby schools like Bluewater Elementary currently rely on portable classrooms to handle their student populations.
While the timeline for constructing a new school isn’t set, Superintendent Marcus Chambers said in December that having the 30-acre site secured now is critical for future facilities planning in Niceville where landlocked geography limits expansion options.
The parcel could eventually house a new elementary school or middle school, which would also help relieve overcrowding at existing campuses. School Board Member Linda Evanchyk noted back in December that the land could always be resold later if enrollment estimates change.
The exchange agreement comes after months of negotiations between the district and Ruckel Properties. The school board signed a real estate contract in December that included an option to purchase another 10 adjoining acres, though additional land isn’t needed immediately.
