(Parrish, FL – July 31, 2018) Despite damp conditions, the groundbreaking ceremony for Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School in Parrish felt sunny and bright. Family and friends of the longtime educator gathered together wearing pink and green on the 20-acre site, set to open in August 2019 at Moccasin Wallow Road and 115th Avenue East.
Construction has already begun on the two-story brick building that will be built for approximately 820 students. NDC Construction Company is building the school – and Hepner Architects, Inc. designed the structure. The $28 million project is being built using bond proceeds purchased with the help of Manatee County citizens’ approval of a half-cent sales tax for district capital needs.
Joining Mrs. Harvey at the groundbreaking were several members of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha; Rev. Terry Cary, Sr. of Harvest Field Community Church in Parrish; Rev. Fletcher Lawson, Sr. of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Parrish; Superintendent Cynthia Saunders; School Board Members: Dr. Scott Hopes – Chair, Gina Messenger – Vice-Chair, John Colon, Charlie Kennedy and Dave “Watchdog” Miner. Community members, school district officials and media also attended.
The groundbreaking was broadcast live on the school district’s Facebook page.
Born in Sanford, Florida, Mrs. Harvey is a former educator, administrator and School Board Member for the School District of Manatee County. Mrs. Harvey began her career in education in Manatee County as a teacher at Palmetto’s former Memorial Elementary School in 1961. She also taught at Palma Sola Elementary, served as Assistant Principal at Palmetto Elementary and served as Principal at Miller Elementary School.
Mrs. Harvey retired as Director of Elementary Education in 1995 but her work in education didn’t end there. She served as a School Board Member for 16 years. Mrs. Harvey later founded Educational Consortium Consultants Inc. in Palmetto, a center offering students’ academic and enrichment classes after-school.
Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School is the first new elementary school in Manatee County since G.D. Rogers Garden (-Bullock) Elementary School opened in 2009. Two other schools are under construction in Manatee County including Jain Middle School in Lakewood Ranch and North River High School in Parrish.
…
#WeManatee stands for We are the School District of Manatee County. No matter what challenges we face, we strengthen each other when we stand together.
It was so wonderful to celebrate the amazing Barbara A. Harvey this morning in Parrish! For decades to come, students will learn and thrive in a school which is named for her – a champion for all children #WeManatee pic.twitter.com/hEd1T61xuU
— Cynthia Saunders (@SuptCSaunders) July 31, 2018