Construction Underway at Marco Island Academy

Construction is underway for the new Marco Island Academy Public Charter High School, and no one is happier than Principal Melissa Scott. 

“Happily underway,” Scott stated from her desk at the current academy office, adjacent to the construction. She doesn’t mind the beeping when the heavy equipment moves in reverse. She’s even getting used to her desk vibrating. 

“I call it the sound of the future,” she remarked. “I hear it here, and I live next door. So I’m sandwiched around my future.” 

Dean of Students Kevin Ray has his finger on the pulse of the construction activity. 

“They’ve brought in fill dirt, they’re leveling the site, and packing the dirt,” Ray said. “They’ll then proceed to put in the foundation. The concrete slab will be the footprint of the building.” 

“We’re using almost every square inch of our property to make our overall campus,” Scott added. “Once the gym and the building are constructed, then my sweet learning cabanas will be removed off property.” 

The “sweet learning cabanas” Scott refers to are the trailers that currently comprise the campus of Marco Island Academy. The trailer Scott’s office is in will eventually be the parking lot for the new campus. 

“Right now we’re sitting in the middle of the front parking lot,” Ray stated. “The athletic field will be in the southeast corner of the campus. 

“From my understanding, they’ll look at running the conduit and the basic lines for plumbing, electrical and internet in the ground. Once that’s in place they’ll be able to start developing the pad. From my knowledge I think we’ll have a nice concrete pad out there in the next two weeks.” 

“It’s imminent,” Scott reassured. “That’s why I like the beeping and the vibrations. It means we’re closer to that.” 

The administration has been working with the Construction Superintendent to make sure everything flows smoothly and safely. 

“Months ago we rerouted all of the traffic so we could keep campus working and the construction site working separately,” Scott said. “They have their own entrance.” 

 ”The only member of the construction team who will come on campus will be the Superintendent of Construction if he needs something immediately, like access to water or something like that,” Ray said. “We have a really fantastic construction superintendent who we’ve established a strong relationship with. That makes it easier to know what’s going on. The last thing we want to do is create any disruption to our school day.” 

“We’re just really excited,” Scott remarked, “and we’re really thankful that our neighbors are so understanding of what we’re doing. The neighbors next door at the Estuary have been very kind and supportive. We know there’s beeping and vibrations at 7 AM—but it’s for a bigger purpose. It’s about kids. So I’ll let my desk vibrate all day because I know it means something. It’s exciting.”