Bethune Education Center Dedication
February 9, 2012

An event full of historical sentiment was held on February 9, as the School District of Collier County dedicated the brand new Bethune Education Center (BEC). The dedication ceremony took place in the cafeteria of the new facility at 614 South 5th Street, in Immokalee. The new BEC campus includes two state-of-the-art buildings – one for Alternative School Programs such as Phoenix and New Beginnings, and the other for Federal Program offices. The original facility, located on the site for almost 60 years, was at a point where renovation and repair to maintain it to the high educational, health, and safety standards in place for all Collier County Public Schools was not economically efficient. But, preserving the treasured heritage and historic nature of the building and site was a top priority. The first floor of the new school building features a tribute to Mary Bethune, with a gallery in the foyer including mementos illustrating the 60 year history of the Bethune Education Center.