Demolition has begun at Murray Middle School in Martin County, marking the start of a major reconstruction effort following tornado damage from Hurricane Milton. The demolition phase alone costs $3.3 million, though the total project cost has not been finalized. The project includes reconstruction of buildings destroyed in the tornadoes, along with a new administration building, media center, art lab, and a full overhaul of the parking lot. Funding comes from local capital improvement, sales tax and Public Education Capital Outlay.
The tornadoes destroyed buildings 18, 10, and nine at the school during Hurricane Milton. However, Kirstie Gernaine, coordinator of public information and community relations for the Martin County School District, said Murray Middle School was already scheduled to receive construction work before the hurricane hit. "Murray Middle School was already slated to get all of this construction work with a new admin area, a new media center and a brand new art lab," Gernaine said. "With Hurricane Milton and those tornadoes destroying the buildings in the back buildings 18, 10, and nine we were able to add these on."
Students displaced from the affected classrooms will continue learning in portable classrooms until construction is complete. The school district said parents can be assured their students will be safe during construction. Barriers have already been placed around the work zone to keep students out of the construction area.
The district hopes to complete the renovations by December 2027. The reconstruction represents a combination of previously planned improvements and necessary repairs from the hurricane damage, allowing the school to move forward with both projects simultaneously.