With the increase in residents in Viera, through growing families and growing communities, we respectfully request that BPS proceed with building a middle school in Viera on land already donated for such purpose by the Viera Company.

A PETITION TO PROCEED WITH PLANS TO BUILD A MIDDLE SCHOOL IN VIERA

WHEREAS, The Viera Company’s vision is “Achieving the vision of a vibrant community where people live, work and play is being accomplished by master planning and developing a balanced mix of residential areas, commercial spaces and community venues.”

WHEREAS, There are four elementary schools in Viera

WHEREAS, There is one high school in Viera

WHEREAS, There has been a middle school in the community master plan for many years

WHEREAS, The planned middle school has been a selling point for many families buying into the Viera community

WHEREAS, On December 2, 2004, the Viera Company donated the land to build the planned middle school, known as the Central Viera Middle School Site, on which Brevard Public Schools would construct a middle school within 5 years

WHEREAS, Due to various economic factors, Brevard Public Schools did not construct the middle school within the 5 year timeframe

WHEREAS, On September 22, 2015, the Viera Company removed the restriction on the Central Viera Middle School Site and gave the property to Brevard Public Schools

WHEREAS, The Viera Company has also promised to donate four additional school sites, referred to as West Viera Elementary School #1, West Viera Elementary School #2, West Viera Middle School and West Viera High School

WHEREAS, New Central and West Viera communities are currently in development

WHEREAS, Nearby middle schools are at or nearing their utilization factor

Kennedy Middle school reached 93% utilization for school year ending 2014

McNair Middle school reached 99% utilization for school year ending 2014

DeLaura Middle School reached 78% utilization for school year ending 2014

WHEREAS, Current Central Viera middle school children are being bused as far away as Satellite Beach, to DeLaura Middle School, for a 13+ mile trip taking at least 22 minutes without traffic

WHEREAS, Thousands of Viera residents have paid impact fees to fund building new schools

WHEREAS, On August 18, 2015, the Viera Company has already requested that school impact fees collected in Viera be used for school construction within Viera

WHEREAS, On February 14, 2017, the Brevard County School Board plans to proceed with adding 90 portables to address capacity which will stress existing infrastructure such as cafeterias and parking

WHEREAS, the cost of portables are half the cost of a permanent facility but are moveable only with great cost

WHEREAS, student health and safety are at greater risk in portable classrooms

WHEREAS, BPS is proposing school choice programs at underutilized locations to reduce demand at highly utilized locations

THEREFORE, the members of this community request that the Brevard County School Board Members proceed with plans to build the Central Viera Middle School