By Kelly O'Connell Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Schools in Smiths Station are some of the most crowded in all of Lee County.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!And the school board wants to change that.
The Lee County Board of Education is looking at a number of options for growth in the school district, in particular in Smiths Station where the schools are crowded and more students are expected soon.
Right now there are about 40 portable classrooms used in Smiths Station and because of BRAC, the area is expected to have close to 1200 new students by 2010.
That means they need more space and more schools.
Some options they are considering are building a new high school in Smiths Station or another one on the way to Opelika.
Other options include new middle schools or even creating a new attendance zone outside of the Smiths Station area.
“We really need it, the schools are over crowded, I don't think there have been issues because of it but I think it would be much needed,” says parent, Lee Evans.
Lee County Superintendent Stephan Nowlin told News Three that the top choices will be presented to the school board on January 8.
The school district currently has $30 million set aside for this project but he says they will need to barrow money to make up the difference once they know just how much the entire project will cost.
Nowlin says between 1,500 to 2,000 students need to be moved from Smiths Station's schools in one way or another.
Now it's just a matter of which way they decide is the best for the students and the parents.
There will be time for the community to voice their opinions and ideas for the school expansions.
After the school board decides on a group of options, there will be a public meeting.
