SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ASSESSMENT PLAN

AUGUST 2004-JUNE 2005

Overview:
Knox County ’s population is growing in areas that are underserved by essential public functions like schools, roads, and other services. The Knox County Schools (KCS) system is challenged to eliminate school overcrowding in areas of rapid growth, and, simultaneously, address areas where excess school capacity exists. The Metropolitan Planning Commission and Knox County Schools have partnered in a project to assess current and future school facility needs in light of population growth pressures throughout the county.

The goals of the project:

• Accommodate the education needs of a growing and shifting population.
• Understand and anticipate areas of development.
• Optimize facilities to serve multiple community purposes.

The outcome of the project:

• Estimate future residential development and its impacts on public school enrollment.
• Help KCS staff make more accurate and appropriate recommendations to the KCS Board.
• Contribute to a proactive strategy for school enrollment assessment planning.
• Share important development and community service information.
• Foster a cooperative relationship between MPC and KCS.

Project Deliverables and Estimated Time of Completion:
(links will be added as project elements are completed):

• Rankings of fastest growing school service areas, based on recent subdivision and building permit activity.

Estimated delivery: August 2004

Status: Complete

• Report
• Tables
• Charts
  • Building Permits by School Zones
  • Enrollment Additions from New Residential Development
• Maps
  • Elementary Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • High Schools

• School-age population forecasts for 2005 to 2015 by traffic analysis zone.

Estimated delivery: April 2005

Status: Complete

• Quarterly submission of building permit and subdivision lot approvals.

Estimated delivery: June 2005

Status: Underway

Project Contacts:
Mark Donaldson, Executive Director, MPC
Gretchen Beal, Information Services Director, MPC
Terry Gilhula, Senior Research Associate, MPC
Tim Kuhn, GIS Administrator, MPC
Doug Whitted, Supervisor of New Facilities and Construction, Knox County Schools
Rick Grubb, Supervisor of Transportation and Zoning, Knox County Schools