Hillsborough County Public Schools has picked a name for its newest middle school campus, going up in Wimauma: Kenneth R. Otero Middle School, honoring an educator who spent 38 years working his way from classroom teacher to district leadership. The school, built to hold up to 1,600 students in grades six through eight, is scheduled to open in August 2027.
The Hillsborough County School Board voted at its meeting Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to select Otero's name for the campus, according to Hillsborough County Public Schools. The choice followed a community naming process that drew more than 1,100 recommendations, the district said. The roughly $72 million project will accommodate up to 1,600 students once it opens.
Who Was Kenneth R. Otero
Otero's career with the district ran from 1975 to 2013, per the same district announcement. He began as a teacher at Plant High School in 1975, then moved up to assistant principal at Plant before becoming principal of Sligh Junior High School and later principal of Tampa Bay Technical High School.
In 1996, Otero transitioned into district leadership as general director, a role that led to appointments as assistant superintendent for administration and later deputy superintendent, the district reported. Hillsborough County Public Schools credits him with helping strengthen school leadership and advance educational opportunities across the district during that span.
What The New Campus Will Offer
District plans call for the new middle school to offer rigorous and accelerated coursework along with opportunities for students to earn high school credit before they even reach ninth grade, according to Hillsborough County Public Schools. The campus is also expected to include career and technical education programs and industry certifications, the district said, alongside extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports based on student interest.
Superintendent Van Ayres framed the project as part of the district's response to fast growth in South Hillsborough County. “This new middle school represents our continued commitment to providing students with access to innovative learning environments in communities experiencing rapid growth,” Ayres said, per the district's announcement.
A Companion To A Recently Opened High School
Hillsborough County Public Schools has described the new middle school as designed to complement the academic offerings at nearby Aquilla J. Morgan High School, which opened in 2025. As of the district's most recent update on the Kenneth R. Otero Middle School page, a principal has not yet been appointed to lead the campus.
The naming decision was first reported locally by the Osprey Observer, which covers community news in the area where the school is rising. With the name now settled and a target opening date of August 2027 on the books, families in South Hillsborough County have nearly a year to watch construction progress before the district finalizes staffing and enrollment details.
