Supt. Justin Robertson
County school officials are recommending a new elementary school combining Alpine Crest, Rivermont, and Dupont elementaries with the location still undetermined.
County School officials also recommend renovating the Gateway building into a new Chattanooga High School that would "allow for the phased out closure of Howard Connect," building a new Clifton Hills Elementary, expanding Thrasher Elementary on Signal Mountain, combining Brainerd High and Dalewood Middle at the Brainerd campus, and renovating the Cigna building for an expansion of East Brainerd Elementary.
The proposals were extensively discussed by the school board on Thursday night. A follow-up discussion will be Jan. 4 at 4 p.m.
Of two options given, the only difference was what to do about Soddy Daisy Middle School. The first option calls for spending $25 million to $30 million renovating the current Soddy Daisy High School site into a 6-12 campus combining both Soddy Daisy Middle School and Soddy Daisy High School. A second option is to spend $50 million to $60 million to build a new Soddy Daisy Middle at the current site.
Option 1 Years 1-3
$200 million to $230 million, Seven buildings improved, 13 school communities served
1. $50 Million
Renovate the Gateway campus into Chattanooga High School. Renovations will include additional 6-12 seats which will allow for the phased out closure of Howard Connect providing relief to the overcrowding at The Howard School.
2. $35 million to $40 million
Build a new elementary school combining the Alpine Crest, Rivermont, and Dupont school communities. Utilizing existing capacity at Red Bank Elementary and Hixson Elementary for a student population of between 650-800 students.
3. $25 million to $30 million
Renovate the current Brainerd HS site into a 6-12 campus combining both Dalewood MS and Brainerd HS communities. The expanded site will include an addition, renovations to much of the existing building, and athletic upgrades on the new 6-12 campus.
4. $25 million to $30 million
Renovate the current Soddy Daisy HS site into a 6-12 campus combining both Soddy Daisy MS & Soddy Daisy HS communities. The expanded site will include upgraded athletic facilities, renovations as needed in existing space, and improved traffic flow and parking
5. $35-$40 million
Build a new Clifton Hills on the current site, taking into consideration the floodplain, designed to hold 800 students. If appropriate, renovate existing space and build additional new space (similar to CSLA).
6. $15 million to $20 million
Expand Thrasher Elementary on Signal Mountain to hold 800 students
7. $15 million to $20 million
Renovate the existing former Cigna building into a K-2 primary school serving the East Brainerd Elementary zone.
Option 2 Years 1-3
$225 million to $260 million, 7 buildings improved | 13 school communities served
1. $50 Million
Renovate the Gateway campus into Chattanooga High School. Renovations will include additional 6-12 seats which will allow for the phased out closure of Howard Connect providing relief to the overcrowding at The Howard School.
2. $35 million to $40 million
Build a new elementary school combining the Alpine Crest, Rivermont, and Dupont school communities. Utilizing existing capacity at Red Bank Elementary and Hixson Elementary for a student population of between 650-800 students.
3. $25 million to $30 million
Renovate the current Brainerd HS site into a 6-12 campus combining both Dalewood MS and Brainerd HS communities. The expanded site will include an addition, renovations to much of the existing building, and athletic upgrades on the new 6-12 campus.
4. $35 million to $40 million
Build a new Clifton Hills on the current site, taking into consideration the floodplain, designed to hold 800 students. If appropriate, renovate existing space and build additional new space (similar to CSLA).
5. $15 million to $20 million
Expand Thrasher Elementary on Signal Mountain to hold 800 students
6. $50 million to $60 million
Build New Soddy Daisy MS on existing site
7. $15 million to $20 million
Renovate the existing former Cigna building into a K-2 primary school serving the East Brainerd Elementary zone.
The report gives these details:
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Clifton Hills Elementary
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Large expansions to Eastside and East Lake Elementary will allow for the closure of Clifton Hills Elementary, an aging, overcrowded school located in a flood zone.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Overall, there is a strong sentiment against the plan as it reads, with stakeholders expressing a desire for more involvement in the
decision-making process. Participants highlighted the need for careful consideration of safety, cultural sensitivity, student well-being, staff support, and maintaining community bonds in any future developments. Participants emphasized the need for well-equipped facilities, thoughtful building design, and strong community involvement in the new school.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE
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Build Clifton Hills on Current Site - $35-$40 Million Priority 5
Build a new Clifton Hills on the current site, taking into consideration the flood zone, designed to hold 800 students. If appropriate, renovate existing space and build additional new space (similar to CSLA).
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION TWO
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Build Clifton Hills on Current Site - $35-$40 Million Priority 4
Build a new Clifton Hills on the current site, taking into consideration the flood zone, designed to hold 800 students. If appropriate, renovate existing space and build additional new space (similar to CSLA).
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Gateway Flagship Campus
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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The Golden Gateway campus presents an opportunity to build on Hamilton County’s legacy of excellence in magnet schools and career and technical education.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Clarification is needed about the proposal’s specifics and impacts. Focus on preserving the unique culture of CCA, alongside concerns about capacity, program integrity, and the broader impact of the proposed changes on students and the community. Feasibility concerns of integrating multiple educational pathways. The importance of expanding CTE opportunities, especially those with a design and technical emphasis, is emphasized as a way to provide valuable skills for the future workforce.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO
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Renovate Gateway into 6-12 Chattanooga High School - $50 Million Priority 1
Renovate the Gateway campus into Chattanooga High School with a creative arts pathway and initially computer science pathway with the intent
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to open more CTE pathways in future years. Renovations will include
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additional 6-12 seats which will allow for the phased out closure of Howard
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Connect providing relief to the overcrowding at The Howard School.
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New School for the Hixson and Red Bank Communities
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Build a new elementary school on the large site of Dupont Elementary, consolidating three of the four small, aging schools (Alpine Crest, Dupont, Hixson, and Rivermont) onto one world class campus.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Overall, there is a strong sentiment against the plan as it reads, with stakeholders expressing a desire for more involvement in the decision-making process. Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining small school cultures and meeting the unique needs of diverse student populations. Desire to explore alternative consolidation plans that include enhancing existing facilities, zoning and enrollment strategies, and leveraging community resources while still meeting the needs of each school community.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO
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New elementary school in Red Bank- $35-40 Million Priority 2
Build a new elementary school combining the Alpine Crest, Rivermont, and Dupont school communities. Utilizing existing capacity at Red Bank Elementary and Hixson Elementary the school would be for a student population of between 650-800 students. The recommended locations would be the following:
The former Red Bank MS site on Dayton Blvd that would require an agreement with the City of Red Bank. The recommendation is to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Red Bank to swap the Alpine Crest Property for the Dayton Blvd property pending appropriate appraisals. This agreement would need to be finalized by March or April of 2024.
The existing Dupont Elementary Site.
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Expand Thrasher Elementary
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Thrasher Elementary is well known as one of Tennessee’s finest elementary schools, but rapid growth of young families on Signal Mountain has overwhelmed the current facility.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Increased traffic and potential safety issues were a frequent concern. Ensure any expansion includes larger facilities to accommodate for future growth and addresses existing issues. Support for addressing current facility issues through expansion
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE
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Expand Thrasher Elementary- $15-20 Million Priority 6
Expand Thrasher Elementary to hold 800 students
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION TWO
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Expand Thrasher Elementary- $15-20 Million Priority 5
Expand Thrasher Elementary to hold 800 students
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Renovate in Brainerd HS into a 6-12 Campus
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Brainerd High School’s declining enrollment presents the county with an opportunity to align the school’s academic and athletic mission with others like Signal Mountain and Tyner Academy by co-locating middle school and high school. Closing Dalewood Middle School and expanding and renovating Brainerd’s campus will ignite a new era of greatness at one of our community’s proudest schools.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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A prominent concern revolves around the merger of middle and high school students, with many expressing unease about potential safety issues and the impact on younger students. The historical and cultural significance of both Dalewood and Brainerd schools is a recurring theme, with worries about losing community identity and the legacy of these institutions. Questions about the fate of Dalewood's property and programs, along with logistical issues such as traffic congestion and the adequacy of facilities, highlight the need for a more detailed and transparent plan. The community also seeks reassurance on maintaining effective teacher-student ratios and ensuring that the unique needs of special education students are met in the new setup.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO:
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Renovate Brainerd High School in 6-12 site- $25-30 Million Priority 3
Renovate the current Brainerd High School site into a 6-12 campus combining both Dalewood Middle and Brainerd High School communities.
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The expanded site will include an addition, renovations to much of the
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existing building, and athletic upgrades on the new 6-12 campus.
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Additionally, consider moving Barger Elementary School to the current
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Dalewood building after the new 6-12 Brainerd campus is complete.
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Renovate Former Cigna Building into New East Brainerd Elementary
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Follow through on plans to provide for continued growth in East Brainerd by developing the recently acquired Cigna facility into an expansion of East Brainerd Elementary.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Participants seek clarification on expansion plans such as whether the entire school will move to Cigna or specific grade levels. Participants would like to know how staff and students will be integrated to maintain a sense of unity. A plan for continued area growth and increased traffic was requested. Rezoning is not preferred as a way to address continued growth in the area. A recommendation was made to hold tours of the new facility for parents.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO
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Renovate former Cigna building into K-2 campus- $15-20 Million Priority 7
Renovate the existing former Cigna building into a K-2 primary school serving the East Brainerd Elementary zone
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Replace Soddy Daisy Middle School
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ORIGINAL PROPOSAL
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Dramatically expand Daisy Elementary to create a K-12 experience on the shared campus of Daisy Elementary and Soddy Daisy High School. This will allow for growth in the Soddy Daisy area while strengthening the relationship between SDMS and SDHS, while eliminating the current Soddy Daisy Middle School facility.
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WHAT WE HEARD
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Increased traffic and safety were the primary concerns identified including questions about emergency dismissals, staggered start times, and the exposure of elementary students to older peers. This indicates a need for detailed planning and communication with stakeholders. The capacity of the new school, the fate of the Soddy Daisy Middle School (SDMS) campus, and the choice of combining elementary, middle, and high schools on one site are also contentious. Concerns about behavioral management in larger schools, shared transportation for different age groups, and the logistics of navigating a large, congested campus highlight the need for thoughtful design and resource allocation. Furthermore, questions suggest a need for a broader discussion about resource distribution and community impact.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION ONE
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Renovate Soddy Daisy High School into 6-12 site - $25-$30 Million Priority 4
Renovate the current Soddy Daisy High School site into a 6-12 campus combining both Soddy Daisy Middle and Soddy Daisy High School communities. The expanded site will include upgraded athletic facilities, renovations as needed in existing space, and improved traffic flow and parking.
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FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS OPTION TWO
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Build New Soddy-Daisy MS on existing site - $50-$60 Million Priority 6
Build a replacement Soddy Daisy Middle School on the existing Football Field to replace the existing school. New facilities would include a replacement football field, improvements to traffic flow, and improved parking.
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