Commission approves two new schools in Spring Hill

Two new schools are coming to Spring Hill, Tenn.

The Maury County Commission has given its approval to build a new middle school and an elementary school on a 200 acre property at 3452 Mahlon More Road, using a $65 million in general obligation bonds to fund the projects.

"Spring Hill is busting at the seams," Superintendent of Schools Chris Marczak said after the commission's vote Monday. "This is huge for Maury County. We are receiving the benefits of a very collaborative county commission that sees the school system moving forward, and they, in turn, are investing in the school district moving forward. We are very lucky."

The 200 property acquired by the schools district is planned to serve serve the region as an education hub with at least three separate structures housing a elementary, middle and high school for a K-12 campus.

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Cities, counties, school districts and the state would be allowed to enter into public-private partnerships to upgrade energy services under a bill winding its way through the Washington Legislature.

The two new schools follow a December 2016 decision to fund a $4.5 million 10-classroom expansion to Spring Hill's Marvin Wright Elementary School.

The expansion is set for completion before the end of the month just before the start of the new school year.

The projects creates space for 220 more students at the school originally designed for a maximum capacity of 600.

"What we are seeing is a reference in Maury County," Marczak said. "We are raising the livability figures. It is a great place to be, and we are slowly becoming the No. 1 place for families in Middle Tennessee."

With no formal designs drafted, Marczak said the the elementary school is panned for an August 2019 opening, followed "as soon as possible" by the middle school.

The school district will work with local construction consultant and district owner-advocate Hewlett Spencer, LLC throughout the process from drafting designs to bidding for subcontractors.

"We feel pretty good about the figure of $65 million for both schools," Marczak said. "We think we are going to be okay."

The project's approval culminated an ongoing negotiation between the commission and the members of the district's board of education.

Every year, the school district receives a total of 125 pennies from county property taxes. Each "penny" is worth an estimated $177,000.

With this agreement, 10 of those pennies will go to pay the $65 million bond to a new elementary and middle schools off Mahlon Moore Road in Spring Hill and another two will pay for five additional school buses for the schools.

The $2,124,000 deduction will be made annually for at least 25 years.

In return, the county has granted the school district an additional $938,000 for maintenance of effort.

Despite passing on the county level, some commissioners expressed concerns for the project and how the school district was utilizing its funds.

Commissioner Stewart Parker proposed the commission postpone the vote for one month so an agreement can be made on how excess funds from the project would spent.

"We are voting for a tax increase," Parker said. "The office of the director of schools has not even looked at other options."

After a representative indicated that the commission could not formally create a contract for the return of the funds due to state law, Parker retraced his motion.

Under the current deal, Commissioner Sue Stephenson said she expects any excess funds will be given back to the commission.

"This is much to do about nothing," Commissioner Donna Cook said. "This is normal practice and this is much needed funds for the school district which has seen years of neglect."

Commissioners, including Chairman Michael Fulbright emphasized both this project and the renovation of Marvin Wright Elementary have concentrated funds to Spring Hill, while other schools, including McDowell Elementary are in need of repairs and renovations, if not new a new facility.

Commissioner Tommy Wolaver said he hopes revenue from the increased tax base will supplant the need for a tax increase in the future.

The approval of the schools district's $96 million general purpose budget also bring benefits to the school district's educators with a 3 percent salary raise for educators and continued health insurance coverage.

"Now we continue to push, emphasize and support. But with this budget moving forward teachers should walk away feeling very supported," Marczak said. "We are going to see a lot of support for the people who are our most precious resource, our kids."

fter the approval, Marczak said central office and educators will continue to concentrate on the community developed "Keys to College and Career Readiness," particularly "Key 1," which sets the goal that every student in the district will read on grade level by the end of third grade.

For the county, the approval of its more than $30 million budget includes a raise for county employees divided as a 2 percent merit-based increase and a general 2 percent increase for all.

"I am happy that we were able to do some things without having a tax increase," Budget Committee Chairman Scott Sumners said following a preliminary approval of the budget last week. "I am grateful for our budget department, they persevered through tough times."

The budget was balanced under the supervision of Interim Finance Director Buddy Harlan, following the dismissal of former budget director Theresa Weber in May.

Preceding Weber's removal, a March 2017 audit from the Tennessee Comptroller's Office indicated deficiencies in budget operations, numerous reconciling differences between the county mayor and trustee's office, weaknesses in the posting of financial transactions and the need for material adjustments for proper financial statements.

Harlan said the budget should receive formal approval from the state in August.

"I appreciate the work the budget committee put in under the leadership of the budget and the cooperation of the school board," Maury County Mayor Charlie Norman said. "And a special thank you to Buddy Harlan. It is just kudos to how we are operating and moving forward as a community."

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