STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — As Murray Middle School students head back to class this week in Stuart, they’re returning to a campus that looks much different than when they left.
Nearly two years after a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton tore through the school, damaged buildings are now gone, and a major rebuild is taking shape.
Students are seeing plenty of construction that’ll continue throughout the school year. But district leaders say the work zone is completely separated from the rest of campus, so students can learn safely while crews rebuild.
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The October 2024 tornado destroyed two buildings and left a third with major roof damage. Those spaces housed the school’s band, chorus, and agriculture programs.
Superintendent Michael Maine says those programs never stopped.
Over the summer, crews demolished two buildings.
It’ll make way for a new administration building and media center, plus modern spaces for band, chorus, and agriculture science. Crews will also renovate the gym.
“Be excited for the new year. Yes, it’s going to take a little bit of time to get there, but it’s well deserved. And when those students arrive on campus, there’s nothing like seeing the bright smiles of the students to say, ‘Wow, this is ours.’ It’s incredible when you walk into a classroom environment that’s clean, and new and fresh, and teachers are able to do so much more when we’re able to provide the very best,” said Superintendent Maine.
The gym is expected to be finished by next August. The new administration building, media center, and specialized classrooms are expected to follow in December 2027.
The project is being paid for through state support, insurance reimbursements, and district capital funds.