By Dr. Annette Weissman

Have you checked the skyline on the west side of Collins Avenue recently? If so, you’ve seen a new building emerging in the northwest section of Sunny Isles Beach. These new windows to the world promise to become the center of educational excellence when the Sunny Isles Beach Community School opens in August of 2008.

This new chapter in the city’s history began in 2004 when the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission responded to the needs of the 1,500 school-aged children residing in the community. The Sunny Isles Beach Commission adopted a resolution approving the concept to build a K-8 public school in the area. This action acknowledged that SIB had transformed its self from a retirement community to one that serves all of its residents.

In August 2005, the site of the new K-8 school facility was approved and a unique partnership was established between Sunny Isles Beach and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The arrangement was historic because no city in Miami-Dade County has ever contributed municipal funds to the school system for the purpose of building a public school. Two months later, Dr. Martin Karp, School Board Member, and Enid Weisman the Region Superintendent-Region Center II, officially recognized the City of Sunny Isles Beach for its monetary contribution and its commitment to the children.

In February 2006, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup explained that the goal to build a school within city limits was a top priority and that having a first class school would be priceless.

A month later, almost two years after the City of Sunny Isles Beach entered into an informal partnership with the Miami-Dade School Board, the site was acquired. The groundbreaking ceremony took place May 8, 2007.

Now, every day matters as the construction team diligently works to meet deadlines for the school which includes a four-story classroom building, a two-story administration wing, a media center, and a cafeteria/auditorium. A three-level raised parking building will support the site. The City and school system crafted a “joint use” agreement that would allow the school to use the community center during the day and the community to have use of the school’s facilities during the evening. This certainly is an exciting time for the residents of Sunny Isles Beach!

The construction site is abuzz with activity as the workers hustle to meet the anticipated August 2008 opening of the Sunny Isles Beach Community School.

The best is yet to come.