Town officials will let board take lead in school push.

‘It’s their vision,’ administrator says

Collierville Town Administrator James Lewellen said he expects the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to step back, for now, in the debate about a new high school and possible referendum, and let schools officials take the lead.

“It’s a little like not wanting to hone in on their show,” said Lewellen. “It ’s t heir planning process, it’s their needs assessment, it’s their vision. Ultimately, though, it comes to the town to find a way to fund it.”

Lewellen sa id a f ter Tuesday night’s public meeting the proper time to discuss a referendum is after the community has learned more about the proposed $90 million school and why it’s needed.

He expressed regret about the opinion poll, calling it “too early in the process.”

In the survey to about 1 5,000 homes, residents voted against it, 2, 232 to 2, 194, when asked if they supported a property tax increase of up to 38 cents.

Town officials project an increase of 34 cents to $1 .87 per $100 of assessed value to pay for a $98. 5 million bond, which must be approved by the Board of Aldermen.

On a $200,000 home, t he yearly ta x would i ncrease by $175 to $940.

The board discussed calling for a referendum but decided on the poll.

Lakeland residents gathered enough names on a petition to force an April 16 referendum on a 55-cent property tax increase for a new school.

Collier vi l le Schools Supt. Joh n Ait ken a nd ot hers explained at the meeting why it’s not feasible to expand the high school. They a lso discussed how it could be converted into a middle school to ease crowding and cited the expected large enrollment increase at the high school. Aitken invited attendees to fill out comment cards and to take part in a survey on the schools’ website.

Aiken stressed there’s no design and the price could go up or down on the school, which is not expected to be completed, as hoped, for 2017. He said three or four sites are under consideration with studies continuing.

“Once we determine that and negotiate a price,” he said, “we’ll go back to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and say, ‘This is what we need, can you help us?’”