New Emerald Coast Middle School

[Jdarg]

The Walton County School Board has had other issues on the table besides the budget. They voted 5-0 this week to go ahead with the new Emerald Coast Middle School, which is wonderful! The South Walton middle schoolers had temporary quarters at the high school, then were schlepped over to Butler, where they share facilities with the 700 Butler kids, who are at 155% capacity in their existing building and need to expand into the rest of the campus, currently occupied by the middle schoolers.

According to the article, the new ECMS will be occupied by June 2011.



Finance Director Jim McCall said he is concerned with the public understanding the difference in the types of budgets and how the Board is building a multi-million dollar school when laying people off.
Davis said part of the $20 million will stay in the local economy and with the room needed, it might be time to stop talking doom and gloom and go ahead with the project.


Middle school construction approved | approved, construction, middle - Local News - WaltonSun.com

 

[Teresa]

great news jdarg. really, do they have any choice but to build a middle school, with overcrowding now and projections for more students in Walton County? its overdue. glad to hear its going forward.

 

[momof2kids]

Thanks jdarg!

I am looking forward to figuring out where my kids will go to middle school... not! I understand why they purchased that land at the time... but it still makes me mad that it is 25 miles from my house!! So - where does this leave families on this end of the county?? My kids have gone to school with their peers since kindergarten and when middle school begins I am practically forced to send them to a different district; send them on a bus for an hour each way extending their school day; or spend an hour driving them each way... Although the time alone in the van would be nice, but do I (or other parents near where I live) need to quit working to avoid putting the kids on the bus at 6:15 in the morning so they get to school on time? GRRRRR...

Jdarg - this isn't directed at you - I am just venting. I am looking forward to the new school, just not looking forward to the uncertainty it is bringing to my childrens' education.

Thanks again for keeping us posted on the happenings!! It is greatly appreciated!

 

[Jdarg]

Momof2kids - where do you live? This school is more centrally located for everyone than the current ECMS.

Edit- I see you live in Miramar. FYI- the high school is mid-county as well, and neither are 25 miles to Miramar.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Where is the new middle school?

And is it the only middle school in SoWal, other than Seaside Neighborhood School? (which is a charter/lottery type school, right ...?)

 

[momof2kids]

I drove it last week to see how far it was. 25 miles from the sign to my driveway. I live behind Smith's antiques...

Not too worried about the high school drive yet. I still have time to fret about that. =) Trying not to move too far in the future. Middle school is right around the corner though... =(

 

[momof2kids]

Where is the new middle school?

And is it the only middle school in SoWal, other than Seaside Neighborhood School? (which is a charter/lottery type school, right ...?)

yes - you are correct.

 

[Jdarg]

I drove it last week to see how far it was. 25 miles from the sign to my driveway. I live behind Smith's antiques...

So you are way up in Miramar. I Mapquested Bay Elementary (which is close to the new ECMS site) to the back of Burnt Pine in Sandestin and it is just shy of 15 miles- it's really 10 more miles to Holiday Rd.? The location is where it is- the land was available, and the district is too small to build a middle school on both ends, so it is close to the middle of the county. The high school is going to be a haul for you too, but we only have one right now, and it is located in a place that is fair to everyone as well.

If drive time is an issue, have you thought about Destin Middle? It would be closer and I heard it is a great school.

 

[Jdarg]

Where is the new middle school?

And is it the only middle school in SoWal, other than Seaside Neighborhood School? (which is a charter/lottery type school, right ...?)

Yes, everyone funnels into ECMS or Seaside. ECMS is currently "camping" at Butler- I don't think the intention was ever to be there permanently. They share lunchroom and gym facilities with Butler, but the school can't offer much due to lack of space. They currently do not have an art program!

 

[TooFarTampa]

Yes, everyone funnels into ECMS or Seaside. ECMS is currently "camping" at Butler- I don't think the intention was ever to be there permanently. They share lunchroom and gym facilities with Butler, but the school can't offer much due to lack of space. They currently do not have an art program!

Wow! Sounds like it is tough on the kids, teachers and parents.