Tampa school for kids from broken homes will be renovated

CARROLLWOOD — A school for kids from broken homes is set to receive its first major renovation in 60 years.

The Hillsborough County Department of Children's Services Lake Magdalene campus broke ground this week on a $9.3 million construction project that will replace crumbling infrastructure with modern buildings and add safety measures like cameras to the school.

"We are not expanding the size of the program, just replacing the old facilities," said Tom Papin, director of the center at 3110 Clay Mangum Lane.

Students are 6 to 17 and come from all over the county. There are about 150 students at the school; about 75 live on campus.

A dormitory will be replaced with three homes that will house 24 students. A multipurpose facility will house a clinic and a family resource center. There also will be a wing for children to build arts and crafts. A new dining hall for the culinary arts program is also planned.