Thursday, August 13, 2020
Ground was broken and reconstruction begun Thursday on a large-scale renovation project at Metcalfe Elementary School
Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Clarke, School Board Members Tina Certain, Dr. Leanetta McNealy and Eileen Roy, Metcalf Principal Jacquatte Rolle and Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Eric Godet were in attendance and Clarke, Roy, Rolle and Godet were amongt he speakers who addressed both the (socially-distanced) attendees and youtube observers. This is a great example of how the Half Cent Sales Tax for Schools that passed in 2018 will be used to give students the facilities and opportunity needed to learn.
Among the projects that will be completed are security improvements, construction of 22 new classrooms, renovation/modernization of 3 existing classrooms, the media center, the Art & Music Building and the Kitchen/Dining/Multi-Purpose Rooms. According to Superintendent Clarke, “Metcalfe is going to be a jewel in this area. It will be a great place for our students to learn and our employees to work”.
Among the speakers was Second Grade Teacher Valerie Scott who said, “We are not just building a school. We are making an investment in the education of our community”.
Construction on this project is being led by Parrish McCall Constructors and will take about a year to complete.
