College branch sought for FCMS

By Stephanie Nelson (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Florala Mayor Robert Williamson said Tuesday he is “exploring other education options” that could be housed in the Florala City Middle School building once it’s closed.

County school officials voted in September to close the school and to redirect its students to Florala High School, in a direct response to increasing proration costs. Once the main building ceases to be a county-run educational facility, ownership reverts back to the city.

Williamson one of the most prevalent suggestions for the classroom space is to use it for exactly what it was designed for — classrooms.

“There have been many suggestions, but the direction I am currently exploring is a branch location for a college campus,” he said. “I have talked with officials representing Troy, Northwest Florida State (formerly Okaloosa Walton Community College) and (Lurleen B. Wallace Community College). I can’t say that these preliminary talks have launched anything concrete yet, but we will continue to pursue an occupant for the building.”

Williamson said council members explored the idea of housing city hall there, but instead decided to move the city government to the building next door.

“Though it was a close vote, I agree, the FCMS building is not the right place for city hall,” he said.

City hall will now be relocated from its current location to the old Florala Utilities building next door. Work on renovating the building will begin in the coming weeks.

“As for what to do with the school building when it becomes vacant, we don’t have anything definitive as of yet,” Williamson said. “Our plans are to keep Head Start (the pre-kindergarten program which is housed in the rear of the building) and maybe even expand, to keep the extended adult education and maybe use the gym for city league recreational activities and such.”