RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Rutherford County School board met Tuesday at a special called meeting to decide on future zones for area high schools.
The proposal included a clause that would grandfather rising juniors and seniors in Rutherford County high schools. To accept that option, those students must confirm the choice to stay at their current school and provide transportation by Jan. 31, 2025.
In addition to the controversial high school rezoning proposals, the board voted to finalize the previously-approved elementary school zones changed due to the addition of Poplar Hill Elementary School.
Commissioner Pettus Read spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to represent Rockvale schools and the Rockvale community. Read said he had received several calls concerning the rezoning.
Students and parents also spoke up during the meeting, imploring the board to refrain from changing the zoning rules to prevent disrupting students' involvement in extracurriculars, classes and social circles.
"The thought of leaving their school is top-of-mind for all of us in our family and very concerning," the mother of a Blackman High School student said during public comment. "My son in particular is very happy and truly believes his success as a student is rooted in remaining in Blackman High."
However, director of schools Dr. James Sullivan said rezoning has been a longstanding need in Rutherford County.
The board voted to allow siblings to be grandfathered in as well as juniors and seniors. Additionally, everyone affected by proposed changes to high school zones has a "dual zone option" to stay at their existing school. However, to stay at their school, they have to provide their own transportation.
