SouthWood and the Leon County School Board are proud to announce that a new state-of-the-art $18.9 million elementary school that will house 835 students will be up and running in the SouthWood community at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. Former School Superintendent Bill Montford and the Leon County School Board envisioned an elementary school in SouthWood nearly 10 years ago and on July 17, 2007, their vision became a reality as over 100 attendees witnessed a special groundbreaking ceremony of Elementary School "L." This groundbreaking is the first step towards prepping students for a successful education for generations to come right here in SouthWood.

"We are excited to have this elementary school located within the SouthWood community," states Bill Wier, vice president and project manager for SouthWood. "Its location makes it easy for children to walk or bike to school, furthering what we are creating in SouthWood, a community where families can live, work, and learn all in the same neighborhood."

At the groundbreaking ceremony, current Superintendent Jackie Pons said that it is important to have neighborhood schools, and to be able to provide modern facilities for the children in our community.

Zoning for the new Elementary School L will begin in August. A zoning committee will be appointed by the Superintendent to evaluate alternatives for Leon County Schools' newest elementary school. The committee will make recommendations to the Superintendent and School Board.

For more information, please contact the Planning and Policy Development Office at 487.7235, or visit our website at: www.leon.k12.fl.us.

It is Superintendent Pons' number one priority during zoning that all citizens have an opportunity to participate in the zoning process. As always, Leon County Schools encourages community involvement.

A rendering of Elementary School L, slated to be open at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.