The agreement with Fortress Secured LLC is the first time Polk County Public Schools is using a public-private partnership (P3) to build a new school, a move intended to fast-track construction to meet the exploding growth in the northeast part of the county.
Here are the key details regarding the project:
Location and Site Details
- Location: The school will be built on a 72.3-acre site at Bayberry Street and Dogwood Road in the Poinciana area.
- Land Deal: In January 2026, the board approved a $10 million land purchase for the site. The deal involves buying 62.5 acres from KK Cattle LLC (facilitated by Fortress) and accepting a donation of 9.7 acres from Fortress Secured itself.
- Concerns: During the approval process, some board members raised concerns about “Flood Zone A” designations on the property. However, project engineers stated that soil testing and updated mapping indicate the land is suitable for development.
Timeline and Capacity
- Opening Goal: The district is on a tight schedule to open the doors for the Fall 2028 semester.
- The “BBB” Identifier: Until a formal name is chosen, the project is officially referred to as “New High School BBB.”
- Relief for Neighbors: The new school is primarily designed to relieve extreme overcrowding at Haines City High School. New attendance boundaries were already approved in early 2026 to prepare for the transition.
The P3 Model
By using the public-private partnership model (under Florida Statute 255.065), the district aims to:
- Reduce Upfront Costs: Fortress Secured helps secure financing and manages the design-build phase.
- Speed Up Construction: This model typically allows for a faster “start-to-finish” timeline than traditional government bidding processes, which is crucial given that current area schools are well over capacity.
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Don’t forget to add the holding cells. And parking for two full-time PCSO.