FASTfacts - September 23, 2025 (Vol. 21, Issue 06)

Facilities Master Plan Outlines Major Projects, Earns School Board Approval

Following discussion between School Board members and a unanimous vote, MCPS is moving forward with a five-year Master Plan to include several new construction and renovation projects.

With funding primarily coming from property taxes, a half-cent sales tax, impact fees, and potential grants and appropriations, the district's plan includes:

• Belleview Elementary School Replacement - $70 million + $4.6 million for furniture
• Dunnellon Middle/High School Replacement - $150 million
• New Middle "DD" Furniture & Equipment - $6 million

The plan also includes major renovation/maintenance projects annually pegged at $4.5 million including:

• Athletic Facility Needs - $2 million annually
• General Floor Replacements - $1 million, then $500K annually 
• Pre-Kindergarten Playgrounds - $250K annually

Finally, the plan calls for major maintenance projects priced at more than $130 million over the next five years. 

Within that same time frame, the district estimates $576 million will be needed for all projects listed in the plan. Even with this, though, nearly $2.3 billion in projected needs remain unfunded. 

MTI's New Name: Bridgeway Academy

After nearly 20 years of existing, Marion Technical Institute, or MTI as it's often called, has a brand-new name: Bridgeway Academy.

The renaming comes as the school has changed over the years plus community support breathing new life into the campus lately. 

The process included a renaming committee with Principal Ronald Jones, community members, parents, and educators. Public input included surveys online this summer that gathered name suggestions, along with Skylert messaging and email notifications to stakeholders. 

The committee then recommended top school names for School Board approval, which came largely through a work session in early September.

The name change to Bridgeway Academy takes effect immediately. 

Plans Advance for Elementary Replacement School in Belleview

School Board members voted 5-0 to move forward with the architectural design of a replacement facility that will combine Belleview and Belleview-Santos Elementary Schools onto one single campus. 

The near $2.5 million architectural contract will be paid with sales tax dollars thanks to voter approval of a half-cent sales tax. The district is setting aside $70 million for the project.

Hepner Architects, Inc. is already secured to design the school, reusing the footprint and features of the district's two newest elementary schools, Ross Prairie and Winding Oaks.

This should save significant dollars on the project which will feature a two-story main building with two single-story renovated classroom wings on the existing Belleview Elementary campus along Southeast Highway 484 in Belleview.  

The replacement school could be finished in time for the 2028-2029 school year. 

Dozens of students who competed at national and international levels for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and SkillsUSA pose with School Board members after being recognized at tonight's meeting.