Schools, ambulances and Chick-fil-A talk
Bartlett unveiled plans for a renovated high school Thursday night — a plan that will upgrade the campus on the suburb’s west side.
The work, along with public safety improvements, are contributing to Mayor Keith McDonald’s administration seeking a 35-cent property tax increase — 14 cents of which is earmarked for the campus makeover on Woodlawn north of Stage.
“It’s old and tired,” Jeff Norris, chairman of the Bartlett City Schools Board of Education, said of the school — parts of which are 100 years old. The most recent work at the school with any impact on education was about 40 years ago.
The renovation is a testament to the growth not only of Bartlett schools, but the initial success of the six municipal systems across Shelby County. Collierville is building a new high school that will approach $100 million. Germantown is expanding Riverdale Elementary School on the west side of the city and has suggested a site for a new elementary school on the south side of that suburb.
Lakeland is building a new prep school.
The Bartlett plans focus on filling in some open areas between buildings piecemealed together on the 26-acre site. Part of the plans call for upgrading classroom settings, meeting areas and athletic facilities.
Growth in enrollment dictates a need for additional space. An upgrade in facilities is necessary because of the age of the buildings and the need to remain competitive with the other suburban districts. And while there was once a bit of a desire to have a more central location in Bartlett, a second high school wasn’t a viable option because of the split in allegiance it would cause. Not to mention finding a 100-acre location and the money to buy a new site adds to the overall cost of the project.
“This financially made more sense,” said David Stephens, the district’s superintendent.
BARTLETT
McDONALD RUNNING: Speaking of McDonald, last week he jumped ahead of the field, announcing he will seek reelection to a fifth term. In November 2018. More than 18 months from now. In recent campaigns, McDonald has faced little or no opposition seeking the suburb’s highest elected office. There was some concern that health issues could have swayed the mayor against another run at the office.
But recent neck surgery, he said, has relieved the pain he suffered for three years, and he’s decided to pursue another term.
ARLINGTON
NOTHING TO ANNOUNCE: When word began emerging recently that Chick-fil-Awas considering a location in Bartlett, the chicken sandwich giant readily confirmed the spot on KirbyWhitten north of Stage on a vacant parcel in front of Kroger, putting an opening date a year away.
Chick-fil-A isn’t quite as ready to confirm a rumor about a new location in The Shops of Arlington Village at Airline and Milton Wilson.
We told you about the site plans and how the Chick-fil-A logo was shown on a building in the corner of the center next to a Starbucks. We also noted that it was color-coded “working.”
So, how about it? What say you, Chick-fil-A?
“We very much look forward to serving the Memphis communities,” said Brenda Morrow, manager for external communications at Chick-fil-A Inc. “And while we can confirm the first location in Bartlett is slated to open spring of 2018, we have no additional locations to confirm just yet.”
So, I guess that Arlington location is still “in the works.”
COLLIERVILLE
AMBULANCE CONSIDERATION: Collierville is considering getting into the ambulance business instead of continuing the town’s contract with Rural/Metro or American Medical Response or AMR or whatever name they are using in Collierville now.
Or whatever name the ambulance company could be someday soon. Apparently, Envision Healthcare, AMR’s parent company is exploring strategic options — according to an Envision spokesman — including the future of its ambulance business.
Collierville is the last holdout in transitioning to in-house ambulance service. Bartlett has had it for years; Germantown finally got into the business several years ago.
Earlier this year, Shelby County rolled out its new fleet that serves Lakeland, Arlington, Millington and the unincorporated pockets of the county.
Frankly, I’m surprised Collierville hasn’t taken the step of cutting ties with a contractor and taken over the operation itself.
I haven’t heard any status reports from the county regarding the first months of its service, but I can assure you for control issues and financial benefits, Bartlett and Germantown officials are happy to oversee the emergency medical services themselves.