OCALA, FL (352Today.com) – The Marion County School Board on Monday approved two major construction projects in the Belleview area, authorizing a $52.5 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for a new elementary school and a $6.4 million price for the first phase of an HVAC system replacement at Belleview Middle School.

Both items passed 5-0.

The larger project establishes a GMP of $52,468,845 for the Belleview Elementary School Replacement project. The work will construct a new 950-student elementary campus that combines Belleview Elementary and Belleview-Santos Elementary on a single site. The scope includes the new school facility along with site and infrastructure improvements, demolition of existing buildings, renovations to Buildings Eight and Nine, and additional covered walkways.

Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer told the board the project will be managed by Ausley Construction Company LLC, with substantial completion scheduled by June 30, 2028, and completion by July 30, 2028. Approval of the amendment allows Construction Services to direct the contractor to begin work.

School Board Chair Dr. Sarah James noted one element not highlighted in the initial summary: the temporary relocation of students. “One of the things you left out is also the retrofitting of the existing Lake Weir Middle School to fit for the students to be able to merge and come there in August of 2027,” she said. Brewer confirmed the point.

The second item approved a guaranteed maximum price of $6,388,079 for Phase I of the HVAC system replacement at Belleview Middle School. This phase covers construction of a new central energy plant, installation of chilled-water piping, and HVAC upgrades to Buildings Six and Seven. The work will replace aging equipment, improve cooling reliability and energy efficiency, and support future upgrades across the campus.

D.E. Scorpio Corporation will manage the project, with substantial completion targeted for August 2, 2027, and completion by September 2, 2027.

Board Member Nancy Thrower supported the timing. “It’s good timing having it done right before school starts and when it’s still so hot, and we certainly can’t have windows open or anything like that like we used to,” she said. “So we’ve become very reliant on having air that is, you know, comfortable for everybody to be in. So, absolutely glad to see this getting done for Belleview Middle.”

Both approvals move the projects from planning into active construction under the district’s capital projects funding.