# Jacksonville School Board Approves Venetia Preconstruction

On November 9, 2026, the Duval County School Board approved an approximately $2.2 million preconstruction agreement with STG Contracting Group for the replacement Venetia Elementary School in Jacksonville, enabling early project work toward a planned summer 2028 opening. The project’s final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) has not been approved; district officials estimate it in the mid-to-upper $40 million range and expect it to return to the board by March. Questions remain about whether the contract documents reflect the reduced 840-student design, making final scope and pricing decisions important to contractors tracking the project.

- The approved agreement covers preconstruction, not the final construction price; the GMP remains subject to negotiation and school board approval.
- Contractors should follow the board’s final pricing and scope review, particularly the confirmation that documents align with the 840-student design.
- The planned summer 2028 opening provides a project milestone for firms assessing the timing of construction work and related services.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Education
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- Duval County School Board
- Duval County Public Schools

### Vendors
- STG Contracting Group (Preconstruction contractor)

### Key Quotes
> The contract you're voting on tonight looks like the exact same contract
> — Judy Gassett, Venetia organizer

> we are listening and we knew there would be another opportunity to take care of that.
> — Cindy Pearson, School Board member

### Sources
- [Venetia Elementary contract gets Duval School Board's approval  | Coral Springs News](https://www.coralspringsflnews.com/news/article318008225.html) - Coral Springs News