CLEARWATER, Fla. — LiFT Academy is welcoming back students this week after they’ve been out of school for two weeks due to Hurricane Milton.

What You Need To Know

  • Learning Independent for Tomorrow Academy (LiFT) reopened for students this week

  • The academy teaches children and adults with special needs

  • According to school leaders, Hurricane Milton caused $2 million in damages

  • The school is raising money to rebuild and is asking the community for help

The school, Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT), teaches nearly 200 children and adults with special needs. They opened the Clearwater location about a year ago. This month, Milton’s winds tore off the roof of the gymnasium and rainwater flooded the rooms. 

School leaders said they’ve worked hard to repair the building, including the gym. But then there was a setback.

“Underneath three layers of wood flooring, we found what we thought was a concrete base, but it was actually 1960s era clay tiles,” said LiFT Academy Executive Director Matt Spence. “So red clay tiles underneath. That is not as easily removed.”

Spence said the storm caused $2 million in damage to the campus. They are now in the process of rebuilding the gymnasium floor, along with other repairs.

The school is asking for the community’s support to help rebuild. Those who would like to help can go to the school’s website.