Historic investment in Loudon Co

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Loudon County Commission approved a $110 million bond to build a new school and update three others in the county.

The new school, currently named North End School, will be in the northern part of Loudon County. County Commissioner Van Shaver said it’s in an area where they current don’t have a county school.

“The new school is the most historic the county commission and the board of education has ever taken,” Shaver said.

The bonds include an $81.9 million investment in the new school, $6.8 million for a new athletic facility at Greenback Public School, $6.2 million for 10 new classrooms at Philadelphia Elementary and $1 million for a Career Technical Education program at Loudon High School.

School leaders said the updates are necessary as the county continues to grow meaning more students are attending the schools in the district.

“I think the people have a passion for kids and for their education and this will have a great impact on the kids on the north end,” assistant Director of Schools Matthew Tinker said.

Loudon County Commission approved the bond with a 6-3 vote on Monday, May 5.

Adam Waller was one of three commissioners who voted against the proposal.

“I never heard one person say they didn’t support the program or that they didn’t support the students; it was just they needed to be shown where it was needed,” Waller said.

Waller added he wants to support the school system, but he feels the process of raising property taxes a year ago and then pushing for this bond wasn’t properly done.

“Was it probably needed? Yes. But, I just think there should’ve been a better job educating the people on it,” Waller said.

Construction is expected to take more than two years on the new school. County leaders are hopeful it’ll be open by August of 2027.