Wilson County Makes Plans to Build New High School

By Aziza Jackson

LEBANON, Tenn. — Wilson County Schools (WCS) is looking to build a new high school in Mt. Juliet due to a growing student population.

The Tennessean reports that at the school district’s request, county commissioners voted to approve an amendment that would move $107 million from within their budget towards construction of the new school WCS plans to open in August 2020.

“A big day for Wilson County,” said WCS Director of Schools Donna Wright to the Tennessean. “It was pretty evident that there was not only the recognized need, but that the effort to make sure that we would not only build the new high school, but there would be the support behind building the new high school.”

The district is currently composed of over 18,300 students and 1,707 teachers at 10 elementary schools, three K-8 schools, three middle schools, and four high schools.

According to an earlier report from the Tenessean, Mt. Juliet High has a current enrollment of 2,246 students, with an ideal building capacity of 2,000. Lebanon High is currently at 1,922 students and Wilson Central at 1,950 students at buildings also with ideal capacities at 2,000 students.

With a two-year construction period estimated, the new high school will reportedly be built on land near North Greenhill and Lebanon roads.

In 2016, the county approved $46 million for the construction of a new middle school in Gladeville that is set to open in August 2019.

The Tennessean reports that other recent district projects have included renovations at Gladeville, Tuckers Crossroads, Watertown and Southside elementary schools and work to convert the former Lebanon High School into an administrative complex. Mt. Juliet Middle School also recently had theater and restroom upgrades completed.

Reports from the Tennessean contributed to this story.