SSAS digs its future campus (VIDEO)

With yellow helmets capping their heads, Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Executive Director Pepar Anspaugh; Gustavo Bogomolni, of MG/3 Developer Group; Charter School Board liaison Deb Metheny; co-founder Susan Burns; co-founder and President Larry Eger; and Mayor Kelly Kirschner tightly gripped their shovels and dug into the earth, sending clods of dirt flying through the air. Teachers, parents, students and community leaders voiced their excitement by cheering and clapping.

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new educational facilities Wednesday, Oct. 27. The two new buildings will include a 42,930-square-foot, three-story educational facility and parking area and a 10,679-square-foot-gymnasium and community center.

“Sometimes my heart just bursts with pride when I come on campus,” Metheny said in her dedication speech.

Since the school’s inception in 1997, enrollment has grown from 50 students to an expected enrollment of 750 after the project is completed. The school was a dream that started with just seven founders who wanted to start a charter school.Now, it’s a place where teachers have to remind their students that at the end of the day, yes, they do have to leave campus.

“Thank you for reminding us at SSAS that we are living proof that dreams can and do come true,” Anspaugh said.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].

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