In a significant move, the Lakeland School System (LSS) has taken a major step toward securing a permanent home for its district office staff. A resolution was passed by the Lakeland Board of Education on Monday evening authorizing the execution of a purchase and sale agreement with MEP Investments, LLC for the property located at 3009 Davies Plantation Road. That building is currently occupied by the engineering firm A2H. The unanimous decision by the school board paves the way for the school system to purchase the 20,000-square-foot building on 3.9 acres of land for $3.5 million.
Founded in 2014, LSS has operated without a permanent office space, relying on classroom space at Lakeland Preparatory School to house district staff. However, with the need to accommodate a full high school of 9th through 12th grade students beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the space currently used by the district office will soon be repurposed. This pressing issue had led district leadership to explore multiple options for a long-term solution, including renovating existing property, constructing a new building, or leasing commercial space. However, these efforts had not yielded a cost-effective or suitable outcome—until now.
Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell, addressing the board, noted that the newly acquired property would provide ample room for both current staff and future growth. He pointed out that an earlier proposal for a district office building envisioned a 13,000-square-foot space, whereas the A2H property offers 20,000 square feet, providing significantly more room for expansion. “This is ample space for our current staff and future needs,” Dr. Horrell stated.
Vice Chair Jeremy Burnett highlighted the financial prudence of the acquisition, emphasizing that the district would not need to take on debt to finance the purchase. “This is money we have in the bank,” Burnett remarked, attributing the district’s fiscal position to the conservative approach of previous boards. Other board members echoed these sentiments, praising the decision as both fiscally responsible and timely.
The unexpected nature of the deal was acknowledged by many, with Board Chair Laura Harrison commenting on how the acquisition offers long-term stability. “We now have a permanent home, and we can focus on other needs,” Harrison said. She also noted the flexibility of staff and how this acquisition aligns with a 25-year growth plan for Lakeland Schools.
At this time there is no indication on where A2H will be relocating for new office space for their growing company.
