Rezoning Looms for Williamson County Schools, But Funding Hold-Up May Snag Plans

FRANKLIN, TN — The Williamson County school board knows it will have to do some rezoning in preparation for the opening of the new K-8 school, set to launch in 2018.

What it doesn't know is if a new Brentwood elementary school will be online by then, as the school board awaits funding approval from the county commission.

With 12 schools over 100 percent capacity and another 11 at 90 percent or higher and with widespread school construction expected in the next six years, the board would like to do a full-scale rezoning of the county's schools, something that has not been undertaken since 2011, though piecemeal rezonings did take place both this year and in 2014.

But, without knowing if the new Brentwood elementary will be open, it's difficult to go through a comprehensive process. As school construction costs mount, the county commission isn't moving with the usual rapidity on approving funding for the school, even though two offers for land for the project have been made contingent on those funds.

"What we are struggling with in this moment in time is do we do a rezoning plan for a new Brentwood elementary, or do we do a new rezoning plan for Thompson’s Station and process the school capacities compared to our growth? But we need to plan for that new school opening right now," Assistant Superintendent Jason Golden told the board at its annual retreat Wednesday, according to the Franklin Home Page.

Next month and through April, district staff will craft a rezoning proposal to be presented to the board next spring with community input following.