| Commissioners pass funding for new high school |
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By: CHRISTIAN GRANTHAM, Post Contributor
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Posted: Friday, October 15, 2010 10:42 am
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Rutherford County commissioners voted to fund design for a new high school Thursday as opponents raised concerns over who will pay for it.
The design phase of the proposed Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna will cost about $1.3 million and aims to alleviate overcrowding in the county's four high schools. Commissioner Allen McAdoo was one of three commissioners who voted against expanding educational opportunities saying now is not the time.
"I guess the only thing I'm concerned about is this is an election year," McAdoo told the commission. "I'm just concerned about obligating to $1.3 million when I can wait a month or two months and wait and see which way the state is going to go."
Rutherford County Director of Schools Harry Gill argued waiting on politics will hurt thousands of children and families in Rutherford County he says deserves better.
"I don't think we have the luxury of delaying," Gill said. "The frightening thing for me is by the year 2013 between those four high schools we'll have as many 1,400 - 1,500 kids stuck outside in portables. Do we really want that? Is that what this community is all about? Is that what we want our kids to have?"
Commissioner Tiffany Jones argued she's all for educating kids but drew a line in the sand on raising taxes to pay for it.
"I want to support the $1.3 million, but I cannot support building the school without knowing where the money is going to come from." Jones said. "I do support this building but I cannot support a tax increase."
In the end, Jones voted for the funding after Gill explained the funds would come from existing budgets. Gill assured commissioners county schools were committed to funding first year operating costs from school fund balance to avoid additional tax increases. He also had this warning for opponents.
"A no vote in proceeding with the building of a high school is going to result in the need for, based on 3% growth, 58 additional classrooms portables to be purchased that we don't have by 2013."
That wasn't enough for Commissioners Carol Cook and Robert Stevens, both of whom joined Commissioner McAdoo in opposing the new high school.
"I think we do need a new high school in a few years, but I don't think this is the right year because of our budget," Stevens told the commission.
Commissioner Gary Farley raised early concerns over expected redistricting battles that will be inevitable with the construction of a new high school. Gill told the commission the relief on area schools is a no-brainer.
"What the plan is with respect to Riverdale is probably rezone Cason Lane back to Blakman and take 600 - 700 out of Blackman that sits on top of Stewarts Creek."
Redistricting raised concern with both Commissioners Stevens and Rhonda Allen who fear a socio-economic imbalance will result.
"There are concerns that as soon as this school opens that immediately it will put both Symrna and La Vergne in high poverty schools," Allen said.
"I've talked to both principals of both schools, and they tell me they'd rather have a higher poverty rate and 1,800 kids than a lower poverty rate and 2,500 kids," Gill said. "I know the board will be committed to trying to balance those numbers the best possible."
Stewarts Creek High School will be located on the larger campus of Stewarts Elementary on Red hawk Parkway off Poplar Wood Rd in Smyrna. |
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