Approved: New Ernest Ward Middle School, $50 Million In Building Projects

February 22, 2012

Tuesday night, the Escambia County School Board unanimously approved the construction of a new $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School, part of $50 million in construction projects using half-cent sales tax money.

In addition to Ernest Ward, the district will rebuild A.K. Suter Elementary in Pensacola for $21.5 million and spend at least $75,000 at every other school in the district.

Projects planned for North Escambia area schools include:

  • Bratt Elementary will receive $75,000 for general renovations to include casework in classrooms (bookshelves and cabinets)
  • Jim Allen Elementary will receive $100,000 for general renovations including the replacement of windows in the cafeteria
  • Molino Park Elementary will receive $100,000 for sitework, including  a 6-foot wide asphalt walking trail
  • Ernest Ward Middle will be rebuilt for $16,500,000.
  • Ransom Middle School will receive $90,000 for general renovations including updated video and audio for the cafeteria stage
  • Northview High School will receive $100,000 for new construction to include a storage facility
  • Tate High School will receive $100,000 for general renovations to include the old gym
  • West Florida High School will receive $100,000 for sitework, including additional paved parking

The oldest buildings at Ernest Ward, including the main classroom wing, were constructed in 1945, while portions of Suter were build in the 1920’s. They are the oldest schools in the county. Both of the rebuilds will be constructed on the existing school properties.

For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.

“With the Ernest Ward rebuild, you will have high performing schools with very adequate facilities across the north end of the county,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said recently.

“It’s about time,” Escambia County School Board District 5 member Bill Slayton said recently. “The superintendent and I have talked about the need since we were elected. This has been my number one priority once the funding was in place. Since we are using sales tax money, this is a case of money being raised in Escambia County and being put right back into Escambia County.”

Architectural design work on the new Ernest Ward facility will begin as early as this week. The new school, Thomas said, will be completely state of the art, including smart boards and related electronics in each classroom.

In February 2010, the school board approved $480,000 for a new Ernest Ward cafeteria. Design on the cafeteria is currently underway in such a way that it will be part of the new school campus.

Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built either in front of or behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings  currently on the campus will be removed.

Most of project work in 2012 will include the design and permitting stages. Construction, Thomas said, will likely be underway by 2013.  Students could be attending classes in the new building by the 2013-2014 school year in a best-case scenario, Thomas said, but that could easily be postponed to 2014-2015 by any permitting or construction delays.

“This will be a win-win for the community,” Slayton said. “This will pump millions into the economy and save jobs in Escambia County. It’s long overdue.”

For a photo gallery from the current EWMS campus, click here.

Pictured: Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “Approved: New Ernest Ward Middle School, $50 Million In Building Projects”

  1. ME on February 24th, 2012 12:43 pm

    I went there my 8th grade year and loved it. Im soo happy that the schoo, is goin g to improve. Who cares where the school is going to be or look like when its done, just be thankful that the school board is doing this. GOOOOO EAGLES. !!!

  2. Art on February 24th, 2012 1:41 am

    Building a new EW sounds great to me,and Carver/Century would be too far for the the Molino/Walnut Hill children. However just to set the record straight Century does have a new building, it was built in 2003. Thats pretty new.

  3. Molino mamma on February 23rd, 2012 12:39 pm

    I am glad they are rebuilding EWMS, I have a child that attends and 2 more that will in the future. I would take my children out and homeschool them before I would send them to Century. And I believe a lot of others would do the same.

  4. Karne on February 23rd, 2012 10:55 am

    This was all planned when they closed down the school in Century. Building a new school for EWMS could not be justified with enrolled the way it was. So with Carver K-8 being closed, it gave EWMS the numbers that were needed to get this done. “What a strategy?” I guess everyone is satisfied now!

  5. Sandra on February 23rd, 2012 10:26 am

    @century carver…….1. You dont have a NEW building and 2. Molino kids dont need to be bussed to crackville for classes. Thank you school board for rebuilding the new school at the present location.

  6. Century/Carver on February 22nd, 2012 5:34 pm

    I say they reopen Carver/Century. Why waste money rebuilding a school when u already have a new school building in Century. Im just saying.

  7. Hey. on February 22nd, 2012 3:50 pm

    I’m so glad to hear this! This school seems to be running out of space (you already have to run to get from the gym to the modelers on time.) Great idea!(:
    I think it’s fine where the school is. It’s in the perfect position from Century and Molino according to me.

  8. lucy cunningham on February 22nd, 2012 12:53 pm

    As a retired former teacher at Ernest Ward, I am very happy to hear about this.

  9. Fishhook240 on February 22nd, 2012 10:43 am

    They need to build the new school where the students are. If there is more from the Molino area then it should be built down there. If more are from the Century area then it should be built somewhere around that area. Only the school district knows that information. I think from what I see is it should be around the Hwy 29 and 97 area because the Molino area will be the first area to grow. And this school will be around for some time and it should be look at that way. Walnut Hill is a nice place but it will always be a rural area for the next 30 year or so. Our elected officials should be thinking about demographics and nothing else. Fuel for the buses will only get more expensive and when it all said and done there will be more students from the Molino are then all the other areas combined.
    Thats my two cents worth falling on deaf ears!!!

  10. Great Idea on February 22nd, 2012 8:49 am

    I think it is a great idea to rebuild Ernest Ward, I went there as a child and loved it, I support anything the will make Walnut Hill a better community for family and friends. Go Eagles…..hope you enjoy your new school soon.

  11. Molino Mom . on February 22nd, 2012 8:36 am

    Melissa — you are forgetting about Molino attending EWMS. Moving it to Northview would be farther away for Molino and Barrineau Park kids.

  12. Melissa on February 22nd, 2012 8:12 am

    I think it would be a great idea to build the middle school closer to Northview High School and Bratt Elementary. Less cost on bus transportation and all 3 schools starting at the same time. The track and football field could be used by all. Just my thoughts!

  13. really on February 22nd, 2012 7:33 am

    >>why do you waste 16.5 mill when you have a new building in century .

    Where are you hiding it? There is not a new building in Century that will hold 500 students, plus has gym and football stadium that *meet code*. It does not exist.

    You have a *small* building bult in 1983 and an old elemetnary built in the 1950’s.

  14. Eddie Hammond on February 22nd, 2012 7:29 am

    why do you waste 16.5 mill when you have a new building in century .

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News