County commissioners vote to move forward with West Orange relief high school

Commissioners vote for off-campus stadium option

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County commissioners have voted for an off-site stadium to push forward the building of a new West Orange High Relief School.

[READ: West Orange Relief School Fact Sheet ]

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Orange County Public Schools wants to build a new high school off of County Road 535 and Ficquette Road.

The fight between the County Commission and the school board lasted more than a year. Families argued the school district needs to build a new school, which would fit about 2,700 students, teachers and staff.

The plans have included a football field with bright lights, which sparked the majority of the complaints from neighbors who worry about potential noise and traffic.

Commissioners voted on Tuesday for an option to have an off-campus stadium. Nearly 70 residents provided input during the meeting.

The school board will appear at a public hearing to move forward with the school. Those hearing are expected to take place April 28 and May 5, which will be when the final vote will take place.

The proposal ended up in court after the county ruled the rural land should not be used for a school. The county blocked the construction, refusing to rezone the area where the school would be built and in response, Orange County Public Schools sued the county.

A judge ruled in January that the district can build the school, but the county can include restrictions on construction.

If the school is approved, it will likely not be built for another two to three years.


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