October 21, 2016
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
Several new schools are in the pipeline throughout Rutherford County based on the proposed building plan approved by the Rutherford County Board of Education on Oct. 21.
The plan includes eight new schools, seven renovations / additions to existing facilities and land purchases for future facilities over the next five years.
Now that the final proposal has been approved by the School Board, the proposal will proceed through the County Commission's committee process for funding consideration.
"I think it's safe to say that Rutherford County Schools is facing overcrowding at every grade level in every area of the county," School Board Chairman Jeff Jordan said.
The building program is being fueled by the incredible population growth the county has experienced during the past 15-20 years. Since 2004-2005, the school district's enrollment has increased by more than 12,000 students. The current enrollment is 43,500, an increase of approximately 1,000 since the same time last school year.
The proposed new schools include Rocky Fork Elementary, Rockvale High School, and new schools in the Almaville Road, Veterans Parkway and Highway 231 north areas. Additions / renovations in the proposal include Siegel High School, Smyrna Middle School, David Youree Elementary School, Oakland Middle School and LaVergne Middle School.
A new John Colemon Elementary School will open in January and Rocky Fork Middle School will open in August.
The School Board relies on growth data compiled by Director of Schools Don Odom, Assistant Superintendents Gary Clardy and Richard Zago, and enrollment forecaster Shane Morgan, who monitors building permit information and building trends throughout Rutherford County and its four municipalities.
RCS Approved Building Plan, October 2016:
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
Several new schools are in the pipeline throughout Rutherford County based on the proposed building plan approved by the Rutherford County Board of Education on Oct. 21.
The plan includes eight new schools, seven renovations / additions to existing facilities and land purchases for future facilities over the next five years.
Now that the final proposal has been approved by the School Board, the proposal will proceed through the County Commission's committee process for funding consideration.
"I think it's safe to say that Rutherford County Schools is facing overcrowding at every grade level in every area of the county," School Board Chairman Jeff Jordan said.
The building program is being fueled by the incredible population growth the county has experienced during the past 15-20 years. Since 2004-2005, the school district's enrollment has increased by more than 12,000 students. The current enrollment is 43,500, an increase of approximately 1,000 since the same time last school year.
The proposed new schools include Rocky Fork Elementary, Rockvale High School, and new schools in the Almaville Road, Veterans Parkway and Highway 231 north areas. Additions / renovations in the proposal include Siegel High School, Smyrna Middle School, David Youree Elementary School, Oakland Middle School and LaVergne Middle School.
A new John Colemon Elementary School will open in January and Rocky Fork Middle School will open in August.
The School Board relies on growth data compiled by Director of Schools Don Odom, Assistant Superintendents Gary Clardy and Richard Zago, and enrollment forecaster Shane Morgan, who monitors building permit information and building trends throughout Rutherford County and its four municipalities.
RCS Approved Building Plan, October 2016:
| PROJECT | COMPLETION |
| John Colemon Elementary School | January 2017 |
| Rocky Fork Middle School | August 2017 |
| Smyrna Middle School renovation | August 2017 |
| David Youree Renovation | August 2017 |
| LHS/SHS Restrooms-Concessions | August 2017 |
| Rocky Fork Elementary School | August 2018 |
| Siegel High School addition | August 2018 |
| Land for S. Murfreesboro - 2 schools | August 2018 |
| 231 N. Land - 2 schools | August 2018 |
| 840 Corridor land - 3 school complex | August 2018 |
| Rockvale High School | August 2019 |
| Elem. School - S. side Murfreesboro | August 2019 |
| N. Veterans Parkway land - 2 schools | August 2019 |
| Middle school - S. Veterans Parkway | August 2020 |
| Middle school - 231 N. Murfreesboro | August 2020 |
| Almaville Road elementary school | August 2021 |
| Almaville Road middle school | August 2021 |
| Oakland Middle School annex | August 2021 |
| LaVergne Middle addition | August 2022 |
PHOTOS / TREY LEE
Top, construction is under way on the new Rocky Fork Middle School, which is scheduled to open in August 2017. Bottom, the new John Colemon Elementary School will open in January as a replacement for the original school, which has suffered from severe overcrowding.