Rutherford County Committee approves funding to buy 161-acre Lee Road site for schools

The Rutherford County Budget Committee voted Sept. 4 to provide funding to the Rutherford County Schools for the purchase of 5405 Lee Road in Smyrna, a 161‑acre parcel the school system says can accommodate multiple future schools.

The school system sought county approval to transfer operating funds and apply fund reserves to cover the school board’s purchase price and closing costs. Kaye Martin, representing Dr. Jimmy Sullivan and the Rutherford County School Board, told the committee the parcel totals 161 acres and could hold up to three schools; the board is considering building at least one high school first.

The request matters because the board seeks to secure land now amid ongoing residential development and long‑term student growth. Martin said the total purchase price and closing costs presented to the committee add up to $12,985,600. She asked the committee to approve a transfer of $9,634,799.50 from the schools’ general purpose funds and to permit the schools to use $3,350,800.50 from fund 189, an existing schools fund balance, toward the purchase.

Budget director Michael Smith told commissioners he recommended using $3,350,800.50 from fund 189 and said the combination of the transfer and the fund‑balance use would leave the school system with a fund balance of roughly 15–16 percent. “That puts them right at where we would want them,” Smith said, adding that it would provide adequate coverage for payroll and cash flow while avoiding borrowing.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about price per acre, comparables, and due diligence. Martin said the purchase price equates to about $80,034 per acre and that the school system had completed geotechnical and environmental studies and other due diligence that indicate the site can support the planned uses. She said the district’s enrollment‑projection consultant has been accurate in prior forecasts and that county population growth supports the long‑term need.

Commissioner questions focused on alternative options, whether additional land already owned by the district could be repurposed, and the timeline before a new school would open. Martin estimated a school built on the site would likely open several years after approval given planning and construction timelines; Smith said the district’s payroll runs about $30 million a month and that the recommended funding plan would maintain an appropriate cash cushion.

After discussion, the committee approved the funding motion by roll call; all voting commissioners recorded “yes.”

Clarifying details provided during the meeting show the site is 161 acres, the schools’ requested transfer is $9,634,799.50, the fund‑189 contribution recommended is $3,350,800.50, and the combined request presented to the committee for purchase and closing costs totaled $12,985,600. The committee vote was unanimous in favor on the motion to appropriate those funds for the purchase.

The school board and county staff said work on site selection, planning and the five‑year facilities plan will continue; the county’s action was limited to funding approval and did not approve construction, zoning, or other follow‑up steps.