School board approves zoning changes and directs planning for new school in fall 2027

The Robertson County School Board on Feb. 10 voted 4-0 to approve a set of school-zone changes and to proceed with planning to open a new school in fall 2027.

Dr. Weeks, director of schools, told the board that after discussions with county officials and the district’s finance director, “probably the best thing to us to do is to plan on the opening of that school in the fall of 27 rather than the fall of 26.” The motion to continue the zoning process and present zoning lines was made by board member Jeff Ayers and seconded by Mr. White; the motion passed four-zero.

The changes the board discussed would shift parts of the southeastern quadrant and areas south of White House back into the Greenbrier zone, move some Bethel Road area students toward Watauga and Greenbrier, relocate a number of students from Chrysler into the Joe Burns cluster and adjust boundaries around Cheatham Park, Crestview and Westside. Board members and district staff said they would try to avoid splitting roads across zones and to use major highways as dividing lines where practical.

District staff said they will prepare maps and numerical summaries for the board to review at the next meeting. The district plans to notify affected parents before any open-enrollment period; staff will survey families in the affected areas to determine whether they want to remain at their current school (and provide their own transportation) or transfer to the assigned zone school. The board instructed staff that any grandfathering will be to the cluster (for example, a White House–area student grandfathered to the cluster would remain in that cluster) rather than to an unrelated individual school, and that families who choose grandfathering must provide their own transportation and remain in good standing (not subject to chronic absenteeism or disciplinary restrictions). The district said it will return with a written recommendation on sibling grandfathering and other procedural details.

Separately, the board authorized staff to commission a site plan for the Greenbrier-area property to show building footprint(s), parking and road alignments and to identify stormwater/runoff requirements. District staff said the site plan will allow engineers to advise on water-runoff needs and phased construction so that road, parking and building work can be coordinated rather than done piecemeal. The board authorized district staff to begin the site-plan work and to engage Hewlett Spencer for engineering services; that motion also passed 4-0 (second by Jeff Ayers). The site-plan authorization is intended to inform future bids and permit work and to address traffic flow and emergency-vehicle access separate from car traffic and bus circulation.

Board members said timing for final zoning, parent notices and the open-enrollment process will be coordinated with upcoming budget meetings so staffing and transportation costs can be reflected in budget planning. The board repeatedly emphasized minimizing disruption to families and returning final proposals to the board before letters or official notices go out to parents.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to continue zoning process and present adjusted zone lines: mover Jeff Ayers; second Mr. White; vote 4-0 — approved. - Motion to authorize site-plan work (Hewlett Spencer) for Greenbrier-area property: mover not specified; second Jeff Ayers; vote 4-0 — approved.

Ending: District staff will return to the board with zoning maps, counts and detailed recommendations — including proposed grandfathering language for siblings and the timing of parent notifications — before the district issues any letters to families.