Hendry County School District officials described plans for a new high school in LaBelle and a tentative construction timeline.

Director of facilities and maintenance (presenter) said the district applied to the state's special facilities account for funding and began design work about three and a half years ago. The district reported it is in the mid-stage of 40% design plans and completing civil and architectural plans.

Officials said they expect heavy equipment on the New Helms Road site by mid-2026 (district estimated "around July next year" for initial machinery) and that, if the schedule holds, the new high school would open for classes in August 2027. The district described the planned campus as roughly 1,500-student capacity and said it would include a hardened shelter area and community spaces for events and emergency use.

Funding and schedule: presenters said the state-level special facilities funding made the project viable for a rural district that otherwise could not build a school of that size. District staff said the project will move quickly once site work begins and that construction and site work timelines are dependent on permitting and final design completion.

Community and operational effects: officials told the forum the new school aims to relieve crowding on the LaBelle side of the county and to reflect long-term population shifts. They said Clewiston side growth is currently more moderate. The district said it plans to monitor enrollment and consider additional options (wings, K-8 facilities or a centrally located building) depending on growth patterns.

Ending: District staff said they will continue sharing updates at future forums and on the district website and encouraged residents to sign up for district advisory processes.