New middle school plans shown to public

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County is in the process of getting a new East Hamilton Middle School near Apison Elementary School.

“Obviously, with all the subdivisions and all the growth, we’re looking to bring approximately, immediately 800 students out of this school and go to the new facility,” Hamilton County Schools Facility Director Justin Witt said.

On Tuesday night, TWH Architects presented plans to the public at East Hamilton Middle High School.

Along with county and school officials, they also took questions on the $36 million project.

“A big part of infrastructure in this county is school buildings and being able to keep up with that growth, and so, we’re really excited about, you know, where we are right now,” Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said.

The project includes a 165,000 square foot building that houses 6th, 7th, and 8th grades for 1,200 students.

Also on the site are four athletic fields.

School officials said the new building would allow the East Hamilton Middle High School to no longer be a middle school.

“This school was originally programed for 1,695 or 1,700. So we’re sitting at 1,800 so what that means is you get into floating classes and teachers juggling their schedules and some shared spaces,” Witt said.

Officials said the goal in this project would be to alleviate that overcrowding.

The plan is for construction to start next February and have the school open by August 2020.