District Newsroom

DELAND – Volusia County Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Tomoka Elementary School on Tuesday, June 27, bringing school district officials, elected officials and the community together to honor the school’s past and future. 

The school, which originally opened in 1968, will be rebuilt at its current location in Ormond Beach at 999 Old Tomoka Road. Students will be temporarily located at the former Osceola Elementary campus until the school is complete.

 

"It’s a little bit bittersweet because we’re saying goodbye to the old, but we’re getting ready for a brand-new chapter. However, this is just a building. The people that make the history of this wonderful community, you’re all here today.” Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin told parents, teachers and community members. “One of the most important investments we can make at any point in our lives is to invest in the education of our children.” 

 

The design of the new school is inspired by Tomoka State Park and the surrounding neighborhood. It will incorporate a blue and green natural color scheme representing the Tomoka River and the area’s majestic old-growth oak trees. This natural design also honors the history of schools in the Tomoka area near Ormond Beach, which dates back to 1885 when the area’s first school began at the Tomoka Settlement along the Tomoka River. 

 

Other design features incorporated by architect BRPH and builder WELBRO Building Corporation include energy efficiency initiatives and natural light in educational spaces. The new school will still feature the campus’s old-growth trees and several artifacts from the old campus, including the school’s iconic totem pole and clay art.

 

"What’s so wonderful is the children are walking into an enriched environment where they’re going to continue to learn and grow and develop,” Board Chair Jamie Haynes said. “This time next year or shortly thereafter, you’ll walk in, and you’ll say this is where our next generation of children are going to live, and not only will they be blessed, but the entire community will be blessed.” 

 

The capacity of the school, which had 734 students at the end of the 2022-23 school year, will increase to 836 student stations. The new school is projected to open to students in the fall of 2024. 

 

“This school is so important to the City of Ormond Beach. It’s a huge part of our history and who we are,” City of Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington said. “Our public schools historically have made America what it is today, and we live in a fantastic country because of these schools and especially starting with our elementary schools. Ormond Beach has some amazing elementary schools, and we’re very proud of them.” 

 

Construction is not anticipated to impact the public, and additional space for pick-up lane stacking will be incorporated in the new design to help minimize road obstructions at afternoon dismissal. 

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