FASTfacts - October 28, 2025 (Vol. 21, Issue 08)

Lake Weir Middle Replacement School to Cost $62.7 Million

Construction of a new facility to replace the current aging Lake Weir Middle School garnered full School Board support this evening.

This "Guaranteed Maximum Price" of $62,698,806 was agreed upon by the Board with Skanska USA Building, Inc., managing the construction process. 

Middle School "DD" is the functional name of the replacement school to be constructed in the Silver Springs Shores area of Southeast Marion County.

This new facility will replace the current school which is outdated and has become functionally obsolete, no longer meeting the evolving educational and operational needs of the district. 

Substantial completion is expected by May 23, 2027, with final completing coming about a month later in time for the 2027-2028 school year. 

The school is being funded with money borrowed by the School Board. 

 Artist rendering of the replacement Lake Weir Middle School

School Board Approves Myriad of Agenda Items and Projects

School Board agendas often contain big-ticket items that garner lots of attention like the construction of a new school or classroom wing. 

Those same agendas also contain projects and items on smaller scales that do not attract as much attention. Here's a look at several of these linked items approved on tonight's School Board agenda:

• District-Managed Turnaround Plan, Step 2 for Oakcrest Elementary School 2025-2026
• Disposition of Tangible Property
• Perfect Audit with No Findings - Wyomina Park Elementary 2024-2025
• Network Cable Installation Services - $300K
• Guaranteed Maximum Price, College Park Elementary Sign Replacement - $81K
• Guaranteed Maximum Price, Dunnellon High Partial Roof Replacement - $652K 

'Tutors Who Care' Program Coming to Three Schools

A new after-school tutoring program will soon benefit hundreds of students at Oakcrest, Stanton-Weirsdale, and Wyomina Park Elementary Schools.

Tutors Who Care Corporation is a tutoring company that supports after-school learning in math and English language arts.

Students in grades 3–5 at these three schools will be identified based on testing data and placed in small-group or one-on-one academic support settings. They will also be mentored by current and former educators who are part of the Tutors Who Care service.

The program provides participants with the opportunity to spend quality educational time after school with adult educators who will also mentor them and serve as role models.

The $180,000 purchase, unanimously supported by School Board members, emphasizes student proficiency while connecting in-school learning to supported tutoring practices.

The program enhances students’ proficiency while supporting each school’s improvement goal of increasing student success.

To recognize Disability History and Awareness Month, Hillcrest School students and staff members led the 'Pledge of Allegiance' at tonight's School Board meeting.