Students and staff arriving this week at Woodland Elementary School for a new academic year found a campus that has undergone a substantial renovation.
The $12 million project included $9 million in construction costs and $3 million for other expenses, including furniture, architectural fees, materials testing, telecommunications, district staff and other costs, according to Mike Gude, director of construction services and code compliance for Pasco County Schools.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)
The renovation of the school at 38203 Henry Drive included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage, according to a school district news release.
Woodland Principal Shauntte Butcher recently gave a look at the upgraded facility to school district officials, including School Board member Allan Altman and schools Superintendent Kurt Browning. That tour was recorded on a video that’s available on YouTube.
During that video, Altman recalled visiting Woodland in 2007 to meet with the former principal Kim Poe, who showed him the school’s need for renovations.
Funding for the improvements came through the passage of the Penny for Pasco, which voters extended in 2012.
“Today is just so exciting,” Altman said on the video, referring to the project’s completion.
He noted he was pleased “to see a beautiful school that’s going to serve the students and the families of the Zephyrhills area for years and years to come.”
As Butcher made her way around campus, she said the new cafeteria can serve twice as many students at once, allowing the school to trim down time needed to serve lunch each day.
The old cafeteria is now four classrooms, and the old kitchen is now a lab for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Other improvements include new furniture for the school’s existing classrooms, media center and teacher workroom, Butcher said.
Restrooms were updated, too.
When the school was built in 1976, it was designed for 652 students. As enrollment grew, more and more portable classrooms were moved onto campus to accommodate students.
The school’s new capacity is 900.
Published August 15, 2018
