New cafeterias, gyms: A look at upcoming renovations in public schools in Leon County
In the new year, some Leon County public schools will be welcoming upgrades in cafeterias, gyms and even classroom spaces.
Leon Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna announced a plan to begin a series of capital improvement projects. The $180-million equitable promise, dedicated exclusively to Title I school renovations and improvements in the district's five-year Capital Outlay Plan, is projected to be done by 2027.
"I'm really proud of the work we have done but I also want to stress that none of this would be possible without the support of our community with the half penny sales tax," Hanna told the Tallahassee Democrat.
The half penny sales tax will generate $39,156,408 for 2025 to be used for capital outlay projects throughout the district. Hanna said the tax initiative will be on the 2026 ballot for voters to decide if they want to keep paying for the progress.
Here is a look at completed projects, those expected to be completed in 2025, and what's planned for the future:
Completed projects
- A Second Harvest food locker was placed at Fairview Middle School for free.
- The demolition of classroom wings at Griffin Middle School was completed on July 12. Cost: $625,468.
Projects of the future
- A new welding station will be built at Chiles High School.
- Bathrooms will be remodeled at Oak Ridge Elementary School.
- The cafeteria at Raa Middle School will be expanded.
- Classrooms at W.T. Moore Elementary will be remodeled.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached atABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X:@AlaijahBrown3.