By Nicole June

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Montgomery County Commission voted this week to support a bill that would create additional funding for the construction of schools in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

The decision to support the bill was unanimous with a vote of 21-0.

House Bill 124 (TN Local Education Capital Investment Act), sponsored by Rep. Jason Hodges of Clarksville, would provide funding for “rapid growth school districts” in need of assistance with school construction.

“Clarksville is growing at a tremendous pace right now,” Hodges said. “Communities are having a really tough time keeping up with the growth, especially for schools. ”

Enrollment growth in the district continues to rise at a 30-year average of approximately 654 students per year, according to a study by the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) based on 2017-2018 enrollment data.

The study says capacity at the elementary school level continues to be strained throughout the district, which requires the construction of new schools to avoid overcrowding. Middle school capacity is currently at a ‘critical’ level across the district with little room to absorb additional growth.

Hodges said new schools can cost upwards of $25 million to construct, a price tag that becomes unsustainable for local governments. These costs have led to property tax increases and higher vehicle registration fees for citizens.

“They’re really trying to create any funding they can to keep up with the construction of the schools, so hopefully getting the state involved can help with building these schools to really put a stop to that, to let the local tax payers get a break,” Hodges said. “We just can’t expect for Clarksvillians and Montgomery County residents to keep seeing their property taxes go up.”

Hodges said the show of support from the County Commission for the bill is significant.

“I think it does mean a lot to the legislature. I do believe that legislators look at what communities around the state want,” he said.

A vote on the bill is pending as legislators determine the state’s budget. Hodges said further action is not expected until April.

Watch the full County Commission meeting below: