Trinity Prep wins approval to expand, build science building

The Seminole County Commission unanimously approved an expansion at Trinity Preparatory School Tuesday.

Trinity Prep is on 90 acres of land at the south side of Aloma Avenue just west of where it meets Tuskawilla Road, with the property straddling both Seminole County and Orange County. The Commission gave approval to build a two-story, 30,000-square-foot science building on the forested northeastern end of the school’s property. 

Commissioners asked about an enrollment cap at the school. Orange County caps their enrollment at 888 students, and Seminole County wanted to increase the cap to 1,200 students. School officials said they wanted the ability to eventually expand enrollment without having to come back to the county for approvals. 

“The cap inhibits us in terms of growth,” Trinity Prep Headmaster Byron Lawson said to commissioners. 

He said the school would like to expand, especially with the younger grade levels. “But I also understand where I live, and we want to take this next step with the county to provide a great education for the kids we have now.”

Ultimately, Commissioner Bob Dallari made a motion to approve the school expansion – and completely eliminate the cap. 

“I just want to make sure we’re treating the applicant fairly,” Dallari said. 

Now, if Trinity Prep wants to increase its enrollment, it would still need to get approval from Orange County.

Additionally, Seminole County Commissioners:

1. Awarded a $2.9 million contract to Oviedo-based Ovation Construction Company Inc. to build Phase II to replace a wastewater processing plant equipment at Yankee Lake. The facility is off of State Road 46 in Sanford. Separately, the county also gave early approval to a $3.8 million project to recharge the aquifer through a well at Yankee Lake. 
2. Signed off on $13.5 million tax exempt bonds being issued to help pay for construction of affordable housing in Sanford. Riverbend Landings Partners plans to build an 89-unit development off of State Road 46 in Sanford. A key detail: 20% of the units would be for residents earning 50% of the median income of the area.