Congresswoman Wilson, Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres Celebrate the Groundbreaking of the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School as the First Net Zero Energy School in Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Miami-Dade Superintendent Dr. José Dotres, and the staff of Dr. Frederica S. Wilson / Skyway Elementary celebrated the groundbreaking to transform the school into the first Net Zero Energy school in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The project will replace old facilities with new, state-of-the-art, sustainable buildings and comprehensive renovations designed to meet Net Zero standards, along with the construction of new facilities such as a tennis court, science lab, and more.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said, “Skyway was not just a school when I was Principal; we were a family who took care of each other. To see today the abolishment of the old school, we have to make sure that we stay just as close with the building of a new school, because that love and that spirit doesn’t go away. So, while the old building is gone, the spirit of Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary will remain forever.”

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson was formally the principal at the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School prior to running for public office. Former teachers, staff, and students of the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School were also in attendance. 

“This will be our first net-zero energy school that will provide energy on its own for this amazing site,” Miami-Dade Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres said. “We are all very excited that we are opening a new school in this amazing community, which will have a state-of-the-art facility for our students. What’s really important is also the name the school carries, which is our Congresswoman, Frederica Wilson. She was a principal at this school, and now she gets to see the replacement of this school she was at with a brand-new facility.”

“Our students will have access to a lot of things that a lot of elementary schools don’t have, like tennis courts, putting greens, a different science center, native trees, just different areas of learning, both in and outside the classroom,” Principal Tiffany James said. “We’re really really excited to expose our boys and girls to this different initiative that Miami-Dade has put in place for the children here in Miami Gardens and that they can just, again, learn anywhere in any space.”

The Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School has received an ‘A’ School rating for three years in a row under the leadership of Principal Tiffany James.

H.A. Contracting Corp was awarded $34.1 million for the comprehensive upgrade and renovation of Dr. Frederica Wilson/Skyway Elementary School. The new 36,000 square foot, high-performance building will house 400 student stations and feature modern art and music labs, administration offices, and a media center. The cafeteria building will undergo extensive renovations, including high performance HVAC systems, new LED lighting, electric cooking equipment, as well as new exterior paint. Further improvements include two new tennis courts, two new putting greens, and a new parking lot.

Many sustainable design strategies were incorporated to achieve a Net Zero Energy and Green/Sustainable facility, which includes new solar panels, optimal building orientation, high-performance building envelope and HVAC systems, Low-E insulated glazing, water conserving fixtures, and other energy efficient features.

For a full video and audio of the ceremony, click here.

For photos and B-Roll, click here.

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