The Manatee County School District has announced plans to spend $10 million to fix up an old school.

William H. Bashaw Elementary School in Bradenton opened its doors in 1985. Ever since, no major work has been done at the school, and it is in need of repairs and updates.

“It is needed,” said Joshua Bennett, the Principal at Bashaw.  “The school is 30 years old.  It has minor changes of some carpet and painting. But, it hasn’t had a major renovation, so it does look dated and worn.”

As the first major project to take place since the district's financial woes, the renovation is a sign things are improving. The funding for the project will come from the county’s half-cent sales tax.

“It will look like a new school,” said Bennett. “From the bottom brick to the top of the of the roof, it will all be touched and refreshed and renewed.”

In addition to new flooring and paint, the school’s cafeteria will be made much larger.

Currently it only holds about two-thirds of the 600 students who attend school there.

Portables will be removed and replaced with another classroom wing.

“The rooms will be more enhanced with technology,” said Jennifer Poole, a guidance counselor at the school.  “Since we are switching to a STEAM school, that’s going to enable our children to be more active learners and get ready for an enhanced global community.”

The school is switching to a new curriculum called STEAM, where science, technology, engineering, art and math will be the core subjects.

Construction is set to begin at the school in January and take about two years to finish.

This fall, the district will use a consulting firm to determine what schools needs renovations and where new schools should be built.

The county’s half-cent sales tax is set to expire at the end of 2017.

It brings in millions of dollars in capital funds every year.