FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High won't have to return to the three-story building that was the site was the deadliest school shooting in Florida history.
The school district plans to tear down and then replace the freshman building on campus, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie told Sun Sentinel Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O'Hara Friday.
"Parents and students have resoundingly told me they can't go back into that building regardless of what we do," Runcie said. "The other piece I heard is that that building will be used as evidence in any type of legal process that goes forward, so we won't be able to access the building for a while anyway."
Runcie said the school district plans to announce this weekend when it will re-open the school and how it will accommodate students and staff.
The building held 900 students, and the school is already at capacity, so the district will need to come up with a plan to serve all students on campus. Parkland is a popular place to live in Broward County and most schools are at or over capacity.
Runcie said the district also plans to erect a memorial around the site the current building.
He said he plans to talk with legislative leaders Friday about possible funding for a replacement building. Runcie and School Board members Robin Bartleman and Donna Korn visited the building after it was cleared.
"The three of us just wanted to hold hands and say a prayer. Just looking at that building and talking about it now, I have goosebumps out to my head," Runcie said. "I don't know how teachers, students could get back in that building. I don't even know how we're going to open the whole campus, period."
