By LINDA CHION KENNEY
linda@observernews.net
Hillsborough school officials, builders and community representatives celebrated a construction milestone for the middle school set to open in August 2027, adjacent to Aquila J. Morgan High School in Wimauma, which in May concluded its first academic year.
Celebrating the “topping out” that marks the final structural beam at Middle School VV in Wimauma, school board member Lynn Gray; Curtis DeLaquil, with JE Dunn Construction; and Chris Farkas, Hillsborough’s deputy superintendent of operations.ion
“Another year, another school, and it’s much needed,” said school board member Lynn Gray, in a June 16 interview at “Middle School VV,” where officials celebrated installation of the final structural beam.
Designed to serve 1,600 students, the $72 million campus is to accommodate growth in the Wimauma/Balm area. The school’s name, principal and attendance boundaries have not yet been finalized. Community meetings have been held at Shields Middle School (in the Ruskin/Sun City Center area) and Eisenhower Middle School (in the Gibsonton/Riverveiw area), with more such meetings expected.
Gray noted, in particular, the relief the new school brings to Shields Middle School, which she said is being “reshaped” to include a stronger adult education component.
Meanwhile, school officials say the naming process for Middle School VV will include a call this summer for community suggestions, adding to an existing list of possibilities. School district spokesperson Debra Bellanti said school board members will vote on a name in September. The principal has yet to be appointed. School colors are green and gold, according to painted sections of outside walls.
In all, three schools have been earmarked for the 87-acre tract east of Sun City Center and south of Balm. Morgan High, a $176-million, state-of-the-art, 359,000- square-foot campus, opened for the 2026-27 school year, at 1712 West Lake Drive. Middle School VV, at 1716 West Lake Drive, sits in front of Morgan, home of the Mustangs, sporting orange, navy, black and white school colors. Also on site is a utility building that will serve the two schools as well as the upcoming elementary school.
On site June 16 with hard hats and safety vests, school officials, community members and JE Dunn Construction representatives celebrated the “topping out” milestone, which marks the placement of the final structural beam. The focus now is
On the job at Middle School VV, with JE Dunn Construction, from left, John Williams, Curtis DeLaquil and Tyler Baker.
on interior mechanical and electrical infrastructure, hanging and finishing drywall, laying out walls and painting, said Curtis DeLaquil, JE Dunn vice president, focused on Tampa Bay area schools. Construction is to be completed in May, he added, with furnishings arriving next year in June.
“I’ve been building schools for 17 years now, and this is a different learning environment than when I went to school,” DeLaquil said, noting such features as an open mall area and safe enclosed area for students. “It’s bigger, its better, more innovative and more collaborative.”
School officials say the middle school’s “future-ready” focus includes a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, including accelerated coursework, high school credit options, career and technical education, industry certifications, and student-driven clubs and activities.
In a tour of the future-minded campus on June 16, the work of Dusty Robotics was on display, in a section of a classroom building that had markings for future walls. “It would take manpower, two or three guys for about four or five days, to do this entire floor,” said Tyler Baker, superintendent, JE Dunn Construction.
“The robot did it by itself in three hours.”