The Margate Elementary School community gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new building on the school’s campus. The ceremony kicked off with welcome messages from Principal Thomas Schroeder and Broward County School Board Member Nora Rupert, followed by a performance by the school’s chorus and remarks from Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright. School Board Vice-Chair Debbie Hixon, Margate Elementary staff, SMART Program team members, students and parents also attended the anticipated event.
“We are elated and excited that we broke ground on a brand new six-classroom addition for our preschool program,” Schroeder said. “We couldn’t be happier to continue phase two of the SMART construction that will add to the completion of our new art room and new music room as well as roofing improvements taking place throughout the school.”
The plans also include the addition of a new playground and renovations to several buildings on campus. As part of the SMART School Choice Enhancement Program (SCEP), schools are also allocated $100,000 to spend on customized enhancements selected by the school community. Margate Elementary already received its items, which consisted of bookcases, student computers and door entry upgrades.
There is now greater availability for students at all grade levels to utilize computer-based learning tools. “It’s not just an exciting day for Margate Elementary but for Margate the city and for Broward County in general,” Hixon said. “It adds to the construction projects we have in action in Broward County Public Schools and moves us forward to the end of the SMART projects.”
The Broward County Public Schools SMART Program is committed to enhancing Safety, Music and Art, Athletics, Renovations and Technology (SMART) at every school in the District. Margate Elementary joins nearly 200 SMART projects in active construction. This is the highest number of projects in active construction in the history of the SMART Program, which has invested about $1.4 billion in improving the quality of the BCPS educational experience. The SMART Program is currently projected to reach substantial completion by 2025. To learn more, visit bcpssmartfutures.com.
