EUSTIS, Fla. – An iconic and historic elementary school in Lake County has some big upgrades planned. The county school board is discussing the proposal at its board meeting on Monday evening at 6 p.m.
Eustis Elementary School has been around for 100 years, which is why the district is prioritizing community input on this project.
“I mean, you can’t get much more of a neighborhood school than Eustis Elementary School,” said Kelly Randall, executive director of facilities and growth planning for the school district.
[WATCH: Eustis Elementary celebrates 100 years with community-driven upgrades]
A first look at the proposed renderings for a remodeled Eustis Elementary still maintains its historic charm -- like the iconic arches and front porch.
“It keeps the very front of that. So the beautiful porch and the two projecting wings that come forward and then actually we will replace all of the buildings behind it with a 21st-century learning environment,” Randall said.
Keeping the school in the same location was a big priority for the surrounding community.
“That was one of the first things that we heard from that community was how much this really is the heart of this area and how much they have embraced it, honestly, over the hundred years,” Randall said.
Randall says the last time a new building was constructed on the campus was in the mid-2000s. There are several upgrades planned, from new buildings to in-classroom bathrooms to new technology.
“Honestly, to the school, that will mean so very much to have restrooms in their classrooms. We’re also addressing a lot of infrastructure issues, electrical, plumbing, being able to provide the technology,” Randall said.
According to the proposal, while construction is happening, Eustis Elementary would move to the Curtwright Center for the start of school in August 2027 and stay there until renovations are complete by August of 2029.