Brentwood Schools Expansion Funding Approved

BRENTWOOD, TN — In Franklin Monday night, the Williamson County Commission approved funding for the much-ballyhooed expansion and renovations to the Brentwood Middle and High schools campus contingent on $2.4 million in funding from Brentwood's City Commission. A few miles up Interstate 65, city leaders met that contingency.

The county commission approved the $17.2 million project provided that the city would give $2.4 million for principal and interest. With all the OKs given, the expansion quashes the need for Williamson County Schools to implement a zoning plan which troubled many Brentwood parents, as it would have forced students out of the city and into schools in Fairvue and Nolensville.

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The expansion will add classroom space, upgrades to athletic facilities including a FieldTurf field for the football team, a new parking lot and an access road to Granny White Pike. Capacity at the high school will increase from 1,628 students to 2,000 students.

The city money comes from Brentwood's portion of the facilities tax, a $1-per-square-foot fee on new residential construction.

In exchange for the one-time contribution, Brentwood's Parks Department will be able to use the new football field and Ravenwood High's tennis courts during non-school hours. In addition, the school district will transfer ownership of the baseball and multi-purpose fields at Woodland Middle School to the city, though the school system will still have "priority access." Development of athletic facilities at the planned middle school on Split Log Road will be coordinated with the city, as well.

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