If you are a long-time DeLand native and went to public school, there is a good chance you attended George Marks Elementary School. There is also a good chance that you won’t recognize it these days. That’s because it has been under construction since the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
Most of the former school buildings have been demolished and students are currently in a “portable village.” However, students are expected to be in the new permanent building by August 2020. According to school administration, everything is on schedule. The $19.5 million reconstruction project is one slated by Volusia County School’s half-cent sales tax.
If you’ve driven by the school on Amelia Ave. recently, you’ve seen the new school is beginning to take shape. Concrete walls are up.
So, what is the finished product going to look like? An architectural rendition is below. The new main building of the school will be a two-story structure, roughly in the shape of a “Y.” The administration suite and a new dining/multipurpose area will be the first two things people see as they enter the school.
The new building will have a much more modern design than the previous campus, but it will have have brick accents that will be a reminder of the old school. Also, three buildings from the previous school have been retained from demolition and will be absorbed into the new design. Those including buildings 10, 12 and the current media center building.
In the end, the new George Marks Elementary will house about 780 students, including some from Citrus Grove Elementary after an eventual rezoning in that area.