Board of Education Passes Resolution to Explore the Possibility of Purchasing Land for Future School Site
At its June 28 meeting, the Pelham City Schools’ Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution to explore the possibility of purchasing a large tract of land for a future school site.
Continued growth in the city and the school system has been on the radar of school officials for some time. The school system enrollment has grown by 12% since 2016, and continued growth is expected. Facilities planning discussions over the last several months have led to a focus on a strategic plan for the expansion of Pelham school facilities.
“The Board’s only current objective is to secure property so that Pelham is positioned for future success. There is not an immediate and urgent need for a new school, but enrollment trends, growth in the city, and facility assessments indicate that at some point in the future a new school will be needed,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Coefield.
The resolution’s purpose is to guide the purchase of real estate and not to dictate the type of school to be constructed, the grade configuration of the school, or the timing of schools construction. The resolution does not stipulate a specific location, but with expected continued residential growth along the Highway 11 corridor and Ballantrae and only one school east of Interstate 65 and three schools west of Interstate 65, the focus area for the future school site will be east of Interstate 65. The school board is seeking approximately 60-80 acres of land for the future development.
In the meeting on Monday night, Dr. Scott Coefield thanked the Board of Education for planning for the future and making preparations for the good of the school system. Board Vice President, Angie Hester commented that “It’s important to do this in a timely manner because so much residential development is taking place in Pelham, and it’s important we secure land for future boards.” The school board is in a strong financial position and plans to use financial reserves for the land purchase.
To view the resolution in its entirety, click here.