Belleview, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer was the featured speaker at the Belleview Chamber & Economic Partnership’s (CEP) Belleview on the Rise event in the Belleview High School auditorium on July 22.

Brewer noted that while MCPS currently holds a B grade as a district, the goal is to earn an A.

Recent school performance highlights include:

  • 5 schools maintained an A grade
  • 10 schools improved a letter grade
  • Belleview Middle School improved to an A
  • Belleview High School improved to a B

Soaring to a new ceiling

Marion Technical College is expanding with three new programs launching in the 2025–26 school year: aviation airframe mechanics, aviation powerplant mechanics, and a diesel maintenance technician course.

They’ve recently acquired an airplane, helicopter and will soon have a jet, Brewer added.

“We’ve also just submitted a notice of intent to the state for Marion Technical College to offer an AS program in radiography,” she added. “We’re incredibly proud of that. We’re excited to be able to offer that to our students in Marion County.”

Brewer said the program is scheduled to open in August 2026.

New schools opening soon

Ross Elementary and Winding Oaks Elementary are set to open in two weeks.

“This is a great opportunity for our students in the southwest area to come to a brand-new school,” Brewer explained. “It will also allow our students to have more space. We were overcrowded in our southwest area.”

Looking ahead, a new high school is set to open in 2026. Currently referred to as High School “CCC,” it will be located south of SummerGlen in the Marion Oaks neighborhood and will also serve students from the Belleview Heights area.

A new middle school, referred to as “DD,” is scheduled to open in 2027. Students from Lake Weir Middle School will transition to the new campus at that time.

Combining campuses for efficiency

The district has recommended consolidating Belleview Elementary and Belleview-Santos Elementary into one campus due to high maintenance costs and overcrowding at both schools, Brewer explained.

Once Lake Weir Middle School students move into their new facility, Belleview Elementary students will temporarily relocate to the Lake Weir campus while a new building is constructed for them.

  • Construction start: August 2027
  • Completion date: May 2028
  • Estimated cost: $65 million

Project timeline

Design Phase:

  • Reusing a prototype with modifications
  • Contract negotiations and board approval: June–July 2025
  • Design begins: August 2025

Construction Phase:

  • Construction manager selection: August 2025
  • Board approval: December 2025
  • Guaranteed maximum price set in 2026
  • Completion: May 2028

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