The primary issues for Roane County schools comes down to a single word -- "Overcrowding". Kingston Elementary school is at 110% capacity and expects 50 more students again this year, prompting the need for yet another portable at that school. Cherokee Middle School is near capacity. Roane County High School this year passed the 800 enrollment mark. However, the overcrowding there is not as acute at at the middle and elementary schools.
The school Board has to come up with a building plan and sell it to the County Commission and the public soon.
Our schools’ enrollment has increased 200 students since 2003. Of this growth our elementary schools have grown by 156 students, middle schools minus 11, and high schools 55.
On the surface, this growth seems moderate, but further analysis shows something quite different.
In the past five years, Harriman schools have lost 113 students or 13% of their enrollment. Since the overall enrollment in our schools has a net growth of 200 in the same time period, the data shows that school growth in the other areas of the county is actually up 313 students.
Kingston area schools have seen a 15% increase in enrollment in the past five years followed by a Midway growth of 7%.
Kingston schools are at 99% classroom capacity and Kingston Elementary School, already at 110% capacity, expects an increase of 45 students next school year. The number is high because they will be losing their smallest class this year, which is the 5th grade. It will be moving to Cherokee Middle School.
Kingston Board members have a challenge ahead of them to be sure!