CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After consideration and approval from the CMCSS senior leadership team, Schools Director Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder announced the proposed name for the district’s 26th elementary school: Freedom Valley Elementary.
With the phase one purchase of land off of Fort Campbell Boulevard finalized last week, the School Board met Tuesday night and was updated on the progress of the new school.
Luna-Vedder outlined the policies and procedures for the naming of facilities in CMCSS and the justification behind the proposed name, as written in CMCSS Policy Number FAC-A006, Naming of Facilities.
“It’s interesting to note that the (former) School District 3 was involved in the 1942 Fort Campbell annexations, and the school district used to include some of what is now Fort Campbell Army base.”
Luna-Vedder said the location of the future elementary school is adjacent to the boundary of Fort Campbell. The list of potential names included communities within the region, local landmarks, farm names and historic school names.
“Given the proximity of the future school to Fort Campbell, our strong partnerships with our military community, and our student population of approximately 30% military connected, the recommendation tonight pays tribute to our patriotic neighbors,” Luna-Vedder said.
Why ‘Freedom Valley?’
The CMCSS operations team, according to Luna-Vedder, created a map with locations of historical communities and schools in historic School District 3 from the late 1800s up to the mid 1900s. Of the 40 names considered, ‘Freedom Valley’ emerged as the No. 1 recommendation.
CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson said the spirit of freedom permeates every aspect of life at Fort Campbell.
“Soldiers train tirelessly to defend the freedoms cherished by all Americans,” Johnson said. “Since the conception of the site in 1941, Fort Campbell has played a pivotal role in numerous combat missions, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.”
As for the “valley” part of the name, Johnson said the Cumberland and Red Rivers, along with the area’s rolling hills and valleys, played a vital role in the region’s history, contributing to agriculture and making it a key transportation hub. The fertile soil from the rivers made Clarksville a center for agriculture in the 19th century.
“From a symbolic standpoint, valleys can symbolize both perseverance, as in peaks and valleys of life, and abundance and fertility,” Johnson told Clarksville Now. “The unwavering perseverance and indomitable grit of our military exemplify their relentless commitment to safeguarding the freedoms we hold dear, ensuring not only our security but also the stability of our economy.
“Thus, ‘Freedom Valley Elementary School’ stands not only as a tribute to our military’s perseverance and grit but also as a symbol of the community’s resilience and prosperity.”
Design fees and next steps
With Clarksville’s booming population growth, elementary schools are pushing maximum capacity, making the need for new schools critical.
In January, the board approved rezoning plans for the 2024-25 school year to make way for the opening of Kirkwood Elementary School, as well as the rezoning plans for the 2026-27 when Freedom Valley is anticipated to open.
The CMCSS-approved the Rossview Elementary School floor plan will be used for Freedom Valley, which will have a 1,056-student capacity.
The architectural design fees total $1.86 million. This number will be presented to the Montgomery County County Commission on March 11 for approval.