Groundbreaking

Exactly one year after the Bond Referendum passed, demolition began for the site of Palatka's newest elementary school. 156 Horseman Club Road has been home to the Briarwood School, E.H. Miller School, and PCSD administrative offices. Moving forward, over 1000 of Palatka's students will walk these grounds in a brand new school set to open in August, 2025.

Elected officials were on site today, along with district staff and construction/design teams, to celebrate the new school in a groundbreaking ceremony. 

Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent, expressed his gratitude to the community of Putnam County for making this new school possible. David Buckles gave a heartfelt invocation and shared how honored he was to be a part of this time in our community. He also shared the significance of this site as he began his career as a teacher at Briarwood.

This school and the new elementary school in Crescent City are the first two schools to be built with the bond referendum. Both schools are set to open in August, 2025. Groundbreaking for the elementary school in Crescent City is planned for March, 2024. The site for that school does not require demolition.

For more information about this project and others, please go to Revitalize PCSD Facilities.

Pictured here from L to R: Ken Ausley- Ausley Construction, Greg Kelly- CRA Architects, Robbi Correa- Mayor of Palatka, Holly Pickens- PCSD Board Member, Terry Turner- Putnam County Board of County Commissioners Chairman, Phil Leary- PCSD Board Member, David Buckles- PCSD Board Member, Jared Dollar- Bond Oversight Committee Chairman, Erik Kasper- Kasper Architects, Dr. Rick Surrency- Superintendent.

Pictured here from L to R: Thomas Bolling- Associate Superintendent for Support Services, Dr. Rick Surrency- Superintendent, and Jared Dollar- Bond Oversight Committee Chairman.

Pictured here are PCSD staff in attendance. 

Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent, tries out the demo equipment.

Pictured here from L to R: Greg Kelly- CRA Architects, Ken Ausley- Ausley Construction, Dr. Rick Surrency- Superintendent, Erik Kasper- Kasper Architects, Todd Duffy- Ausley Construction.

Pictured here are Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent, and Shawn Dale Goddard, District Aide to Representative Bobby Payne.