BY DAN HILDEBRAN
General manager
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—Clay County Public Schools officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Keystone Heights Elementary School’s new cafetorium, eight-classroom suite, and media center.
Although the new facilities have been in use, officials said they wanted to recognize the people who were instrumental in the project’s success and allow the public to tour the new buildings.
Principal Beth Turbeville described the additions as” a lovely, covered play court, a magnificent colossal cafetorium with a state-of-the-art kitchen, eight brand new classrooms, and the most stunning media center in Clay County.”
The administrator added that it was stressful to add the role of construction liaison to her regular duties as the school principal but that throughout the process, her team on the Southwest Pecan Street campus kept telling her the adversity would be worth it.
“Honored and distinguished guests,” she said, “I’m here today to tell you that my KHE family was right. It was worth it. The gorgeous facilities that you’ll see today will stand for many years and will serve thousands of students for years to come.”
Turbeville also asked the audience to remember the real heroes of the project: the Clay County taxpayers.
Contractor Domenic Scorpio said the project occurred during unprecedented inflation in construction materials, and that its success resulted from the teamwork exhibited by his workers, Architect Paul Stressing and district staff.
Superintendent David Broskie said Keystone is one of those places that always has a hometown feel.
He added that because of its isolation in the county’s south end, some residents feel the area does not get the resources other parts of Clay County get.
“Folks, take a look around,” he told the audience. “This is the very best of the best. We’re so proud that the Clay County School District can provide that to this community because you know what? These children deserve it.”
