RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - As the Rutherford County School System negotiates land purchases for constructing a new high school, the costs associated with building the facility are increasing… That was county schools director Dr. Jimmy Sullivan. Multi-story community schools may require a smaller footprint and less land but incur similar increased costs, as more principals and administrative positions will be needed for each school that opens.

The growth also drives the demand for additional bus routes, school buses, and bus drivers… More routes will necessitate careful planning, given that states’ rules and regulations that prohibit a child from being on a school bus for more than 90 minutes at a time.

Approximately $30 million is spent on transportation each year, accounting for about 7% of the county school budget…

On a positive note, Rutherford County wrapped up the first half of the school year with promising news… The state confirmed that 32 of the 48 graded schools achieved Level 5 status for academic and student performance. The school district has consistently maintained a graduation rate above 95 percent. For the 2023-2024 school year, the average graduation rate for all Rutherford County high schools was 97.2 percent.

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