CHARLTON COUNTY, Fla. – Families in Charlton County are learning high school students won’t be starting classes on Monday as planned.
The district says the new Charlton County High School needs just a little more time before it can open its doors.
The building needs a few more days to complete final electrical work and receive its certificate of occupancy after repairing a fire pump, a key step before the doors can open.
The furniture company is also still assembling and installing furniture in classrooms, the cafeteria and offices.
Final touches are being made to the auditorium and cafeteria, and the parking lot was being paved as of Thursday.
Once the certificate of occupancy is in hand, teachers will come into the building and begin setting up their classrooms before students arrive.
Despite the last-minute change, parents and students we spoke to say they understand.
“It gives them the time they need to make sure it’s ready whenever we do go in there. And I’m glad that they’re taking the necessary precautions,” DeVoan Hawkins, a student, said.
His mother, Markie Davis, agreed.
“I feel the same. It doesn’t really bother me much. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Teachers say while the delay was unexpected, getting it right matters more than getting it done fast.
“We know that it was a pushed timeline from the beginning, so just the delay ain’t really that big of a deal to us. We just really want to get in there and be able to get ready for our students so that they can enjoy their new school,” said Aleshia Sumpter, a business and science teacher.
Fellow teacher and parent Nikisha Lloyd echoed that sentiment.
“We’re just ready. We’re all ready to see a new building. The old one was terrible. So we are excited about that. We do not want to do it the wrong way.”
If everything stays on schedule, district leaders say students could begin classes as early as Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of next week, but no official start date has been announced just yet.
The district says families will be notified once that date is confirmed.
Even after students return, construction on campus will continue.
The second phase of the project, which includes a new gym, weight room and connecting hallway, isn’t expected to be complete until 2027.