The latest expansion at Matanzas High School, one of Flagler County’s two public high schools, had its ribbon-cutting on Tuesday after months of anticipation. The $23 million project marks a major increase in the structural capacity at MHS.
The newly-expanded building holds four new classrooms and a media center, adding 20,000 square feet to an area in which 11,000 square feet already underwent comprehensive renovations. Construction on Building 5 and Building 22 has been ongoing for almost two years.
Some of the facilities and services emphasized in Matanzas’ expansion include vocational and technical education spaces, which have the potential to better prepare students for a career should they forgo a traditional four-year college path.
Flagler Schools Teaching and Learning Director Jeff Reaves and School Board member Derek Barrs take in the new construction workshop. ⓒ Flagler Schools
The main addition in that realm is a workshop area for trade education.
The main driver behind the project, according to key figures within Flagler Schools, was the community’s vote to approve a half-cent sales tax referendum with the explicit purpose of funding school district improvements.
The half-cent sales tax proposition passed on the 2022 general election ballot with 68.97% and 36,235 votes, against 31.03% and 16,301 who voted against it. The initiative is overseen by the 1/2 Cent Citizens Oversight Committee, who were appointed to help decide how the funds can best benefit Flagler Schools.
