Monroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford and school board member Andy Griffiths joined the Monroe delegation to celebrate Florida Keys Day in Tallahassee last week. In addition to the festivities surrounding Florida Keys Day the school officials had a request that would enable the development of 140 units of affordable housing for teachers.
In order for Integra, the company that won the bid to develop housing at the district’s Trumbo Road headquarters to move ahead, the administration building there has to be demolished. The 52 workers in the building can be relocated to the school district-owned Bruce Hall on United Street. But that historic structure, built in 1925 as an Ecclesiastical Seminary for the Episcopal Church, needs serious renovations. The renovation will cost $20 million, according to estimates. The building would be a community treasure when renovated. It would not only house school district offices but also have meeting rooms and other amenities for the community. Axford was in Tallahassee last year, too, pushing for assistance with the renovation.
Florida Keys State Rep. Jim Mooney and State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriquez were able to get $2 million allocated to the project, but that’s not enough. Mooney and Rodriguez are supporting the effort this year also. Axford is again working with them to get the rest of the money. She has been working on this project since she became superintendent and has enlisted the help of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, whose support and advice have been instrumental in moving the project forward. He can articulate what is needed at Trumbo Point clearly and has been speaking to legislators in Tallahassee to gain their support.
Diaz knows affordable housing is a real need in Monroe County to attract and keep good teachers. Axford plans to meet with Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez in the near future to gain her support as well. The allocation would be a one-time ask for Monroe County schools.
