COLLIER COUNTY, Fla — For the first time in 15 years, Collier County will be getting a new high school, with construction starting in two years.
"We anticipate by the time this new high school opens in 2023, the Collier County Public School District will have it paid in full," said Collier County Schools Spokesperson Chad Oliver.
That's because the district set aside money years ago to buy the land where the school would be.
The yet to be named school will be located in between Old 41 and Livingston Road. That means Veterans Memorial Parkway would have to be extended.
"I think they need some kind of thruway to go through to 41, it's already a bottleneck right now from 41 to Old 41, I think that is something they need to consider, when they make the plan," said Scott Toth, who lives nearby.
The school district says the Florida Department of Transportation will handle road construction details.
District officials say studies show the area around the proposed school will grow in the coming years and the new school will take the burden off of Gulf Coast High School.
The district says Gulf Coast will be 900 students over capacity by the time the new school opens.
