On Monday, January 23, 2023, the Okaloosa County School Board held a workshop where they discussed the proposed purchase of 80 acres in Crestview, Florida. The land, located on the Western Crestview bypass, is being considered as the potential site for a new K-8 school.
- This property is West of Highway 85, North of I-10, and South of Highway 90 along the new bypass currently under construction.
The current plan is to build the new school, then in the future, build a second school on the same property. The K-8 school would convert to a middle school (6-8), and the new school will be an elementary school (K-5).
Dr. Bill Smith, the Director of Facilities and Construction for the OCSD, presented the proposal to the Board during the workshop. He discussed the need for additional school capacity in the Crestview area, which has seen a significant increase in population growth over the past decade.
According to Smith, the proposed property was chosen for its central location and proximity to major thoroughfares, making it easily accessible to students and families from across the area.
“We have been closely monitoring the population trends in Crestview and it’s clear that there is a need for additional schools in the area,” he said. “The Antioch Road property is the perfect location for our next schools, as it’s situated near residential developments and has plenty of room for future expansion.”
The proposed project aims to address the growing student population in Crestview and its surrounding areas, which has led to overcrowding in existing schools. The new school, which will be built on the 80-acre property, is slated to provide much-needed relief for the area and ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education.
- While the site is large enough for two schools, the initial focus is on the K-8 school. “This purchase will not only provide much-needed space for students, but it will also allow us to redistribute students to alleviate overcrowding at other schools,” said Smith.
In addition to the proposed purchase in Crestview, Superintendent Marcus Chamber also noted plans for an addition to Destin Elementary and Crestview High School, along with a new school in Niceville.
- “We are working on plans for a new school in the Niceville area and a new building on the campus of Destin Elementary,” he wrote in an email. “The Half-Cent Sales Tax has provided the funding for us to greatly impact and improve our existing schools, which allows us to use other capital funds for new school construction for the first time in over fifteen years.”
The school board plans to make a final decision on the purchase of the property this Spring. If approved, construction is expected to begin in late 2023 with the new schools projected to open in the fall of 2026.
17 Responses
We need a new high school make the existing high school into a middle school
We need a new high school for sure!!
They Should have done that when they built Davidson, but they don’t require logical, common sense answers.
bro what the fuck you dont understand a dum fucking and it wont happend
I find it interesting that they are buying 80 acres instead of using the 74 acres plot they already outright OWN in Creatview…that was given to the OCSD/Board by Edwin Watts 10+ years ago. This new 80 acres is a waste of taxpayer dollars, for sure! And to build where the new bypass is going, adding even more congestion to that traffic pattern???
Wow seriously definitely need a new high-school turn the old one into k-8 sheesh already have 5 elementary schools for Crestview 2 middle schools so why is the high school just being ignored ????
Yes we definitely need a new High School. Keep on building elementary and middle schools but havent done anything for a new high school.. Just keep on putting a band aid on it. Plus look how old the high school is. Please do the homework
Need another high school
Well your building new schools, but what about area’s that need them the most?
You have a K – 12 school in Baker that is over a hundred years old. Sorry but Baker school is no where big enough for the amount of students it has.
Build a Highschool!!! One Highschool in this area is ridiculous!!!
We need a bigger new high school all these school filter into the one high not fair to existing students and teachers hope they figure this out with all the houses being built there be many more students quality education requires room and quality educators
I’m surprised not even a single comment has mentioned building another high school
We need another high school! With the amount of elementary and middle schools we have, we need 2 high schools to accommodate all of these students. Think about this folks!!!
The High School is beyond capacity. How does this make any sense?
If they’re smart once they build the new middle school they’ll make Davidson and the highschool one big building. Saving tons of money in sports complexes and fields. Hopefully they build the new middle school bigger to plan for the future
I so agree! We need another High School in this town!!!
Why doesn’t the School Board purchase that 20 acres immediate North of El Paso restaurant. Prime location for a New High School or at least additional room. This would be cost savings for us taxpayers,fuel costs etc. School Board needs to work Smarter not harder. Don’t the School Board understand that Middle Schools produce High School Students. It is election year. Time for them to listen to us VOTERS!!