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Progress Continuing Toward Construction Of New Ernest Ward Middle Campus
August 12, 2012
Progress is being made toward the construction of a new state of the art, $16.5 million Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill.
The school district is currently soliciting bids for qualified architectural services to design the 600-student building.
“We are looking at opening the new school in August 2015,” Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “But it’s possible it will be earlier if everything about the process goes perfectly.”
The 115,202 square foot building will be built to the nationally recognized LEEDS “green” building standards, designed with energy efficiency in mind.
Once an architect is hired and the building is designed, the next major phase of the project will be the selection of a builder.
Students will be on site during the construction of the new school; it will be built behind the current facility. Once the new building is complete, the most of the current building will be torn down, and portables and modular buildings currently on the campus will be removed. The current administration building is slated to become a maintenance facility.
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.
With the current economic climate and contracting firms looking for work, Thomas said he expects the construction costs for the new Ernest Ward campus, A.K. Suter campus and the other district schools to be favorable for the district.
Pictured top: Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry discuss options for the new school campus. Pictured below: Perry, Thomas, and EWMS staffer Betty Coon hold a “Thank You for our New School” banner signed by Ernest Ward students during the 2011-2012 school year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Progress Continuing Toward Construction Of New Ernest Ward Middle Campus”
Gene it seems like just yesterday you were Principal of Earnest Ward High School. The old school sure had a rustic charm all it’s own.
It is good to see Walnut Hill area students recievin (receiving) the benefit of our tax dollars.
I agree with JR and Carol, Nancy is a cut-above a Junior High Principal. I think she is great and needs to be promoted but PLEASE NOT BEFORE THE NEW SCHOOL GETS OFF THE GROUND. I am a graduate of E.W. High, was there when it was being built but attending in the old gym in Walnut Hill until it was finished, then was moved in the first year it was opened. It holds a lot of memories because both my children graduated from dear old Ernest Ward High. Nancy has done a wonderful job when it was made a middle school and sure hope they leave her until it’s well on its way, although she deserves a promotion.
I sure wish they would rebuild the middle school across from Northview so that the travel would be about equal for both walnut hill and century students! If a new school is going to be built anyways why not in a central location? I grew up in bratt, ernest ward and northview schools, but i now reside in byrneville and it will be a long ride to the hwy 97 location for middle school kids! Just my thoughts!
I come from a long line of educators in my family. My Mom was a Professor of Reading and Child Development at Cal State University Fullerton and my Grandfather was Superintendent of Schools and Public Education in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh Pa.).
You could search the entire United States and not find a better educator,leader,harder worker and teacher than Nancy Perry.Our kids were average to below average students before Nancy Perry and her incredible staff got a hold of them.Our youngest just graduated from EWMS with a 3.25 GPA and the oldest is now a straight ‘A’ 11th grade engineering student with a 3.94 GPA.Both are attending West Florida Tech High School. If I were in charge, I would give Nancy Perry what ever she wanted,such a dedicated educator that she is. Just sad to think other kids don’t get the attention and education that Nancy Perry and staff give.If your kids go to EWMS, consider yourselves having won the Education Lottery of a lifetime.
Nancy Perry is a cut above. When Malcolm Thomas has completed his tour of duty. She is my pick to be his successor.
The district could also save millions by re-using school plans.
Why does each school have to be designed from scratch ?
They are all doing the same thing.
I hope Malcolm Thomas is proud, He has accomplished his goal.
I am happy for the district building and up grading schools, but PLEASE do not make the same mistakes with the new buildings, that were made with Global Learning Acadmey. GLA looks new, modern and green from the outside, but in reality it was very poorly planned and poorly exicuted. I think the “green” aspect of the school falls short when the so called “recycled” floors have to be cleaned with harsh solvents, just so they look presentable. I wish the county would not cut corners and would truely invest in our children.