education New Education Opportunities Coming to Tyndall Elementary by: Sharon Michalik, Director of Communications, Bay District Schools
W
ith more than $4.9 billion in expansion planned for Tyndall Air Force Base, it should come as no surprise Bay District Schools is also investing in
Acting Tyndall Principal Carolyn Dehner explained that the K-8 model makes sense for students and parents. “If students and parents already have a solid relationship both personally and
our school on base. We’re excited to finally be in the design/build
academically with their elementary school, it makes sense to keep
phase of a $12 million facility that will be home to our expanding
that security in place to support them through the challenging
middle school.
times of sixth through eighth grade,” she said. “Because military
Before the hurricane, Tyndall Elementary School operated as a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school. However, the damage brought by the storm on the east side of town, and the planned multi-billion-dollar expansion of the base, presented the district
families often move from place to place, adding middle school grades to serve a wider age range of students offers more continuity and stability for the military family while stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. This is a way to support and serve those who serve our country,” Dehner explained.
with a perfect opportunity to better serve the community with an
14
expanded mission of our own. Adding a grade a year since 2020,
The addition of the middle school is welcome news to base
Tyndall Academy will house students in pre-kindergarten through
officials. “The growth of Tyndall Academy is exciting for the entire
eighth grade by the 2022-2023 school year.
Tyndall Air Force Base community. As the base expands with new
According to BDS Superintendent Bill Husfelt, the K-8 model,
community. Seeing Bay District Schools postured to support these
which is currently utilized at Breakfast Point Academy, is a popular
children and enhance the educational structure for the growing
option for parents. “The transition from elementary to middle
community reminds us how important the ongoing relationship
school is a hard one for students and parents,” he said. “ They have
between Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, and Bay County
embraced the concept of a K-8 so there’s less of a transition.”
remains,” explained USAF Col. Greg Moseley, Commander of the
BAY BIZ / WINTER 2022
missions, thousands more Airmen and their families will join our
