COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — The Collierville Board of Education voted Friday to recommend the construction of one new high school at Shelby Drive and Sycamore to town leaders.
That would mean Collierville’s current high school would be converted into a middle school.
Discussions began more than a year ago because of school overcrowding concerns.
District leaders said both Collierville High school and its two middle schools were over capacity this school year.
To make matters worse, they said they anticipate the Collierville area to continue to grow.
“This gives a lot of opportunities. It gives a lot of opportunities for growth,” Superintendent John Aitken told the crowd gathered at Collierville’s Town Hall.
The proposed high school’s lay out would sit south of Highway 385.
The school’s sports facilities would be located on the property’s northwest corner.
It would be the district’s only high school.
“It’s our recommendation. We think that’s a sound recommendation, and now we’ll meet with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, and they’re open. They know this is the right thing. We just need to figure out the financial piece of it,” Aitken said.
However, some said the finances will be a major talking point in the weeks and months ahead.
Building a new high school with all the amenities, including extra room for the STEM program, an auditorium, football field, and more could cost more than $100 million.
The district said how to fund the project is up for discussion, but it is possible it could involve a property tax increase.
Parent Genia Lindow believed the change to be necessary.
“The main thing about Collierville, where there’s a will, there’s a way. In this community, I’m a long time resident. We’ve always done what is best for our community, and we will continue to do that,” Lindow said.
Lindow’s son will be a sophomore this fall.
The district said they hope the high school will open by 2018 if not sooner.
