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On Tuesday, Hamblen County Schools held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lincoln Heights Elementary School on Dr. MLK Jr Parkway.

Elected officials, educators from the current elementary school, and future school students attended the ceremony kicking off the construction process.

As the ceremony kicked off, both the city of Morristown and Hamblen County mayors welcomed guests and discussed the importance of the new school to the community.

“It is an exciting day in the history of Hamblen County and this ground breaking is extra special and I’m excited to come back in 24 months for the ribbon cutting ceremony,” County Mayor Bill Brittain said.

“This school project is a shining example of what can happen when we work together as a community and as we work for the long term needs of our people.”

Brittain explained that the school is much needed for the community and shows the county’s dedication to education students.

“When Shelley Green took us on a tour of the elementary school we got to see the environment that the current building provides and the needs the current building has,” Brittain said. “At that time the county commission, the school board and the school administration started working on solving the problems and producing this school.”

“Funding for this project and for Morristown-Hamblen High School West’s renovation that was completed a few years ago and they are examples of Hamblen County’s dedication to education, the future of our community and the future of our children.”

City Mayor Gary Chesney discussed the growth the area has seen, and with that growth means growing the school district.

“It’s important for Morristown and Hamblen County because it represents an example of how to respond to an issue before it becomes a crisis,” Chesney said. “When I’m wearing the mayor’s hat, I’m constantly bragging about our success with job growth, economic growth, housing growth, improvements with our recreational options and cutting ribbons for restaurants and hospitals. The things that are giving more people a reason to move here; and they are.

“Morristown and Hamblen County is growing, more people, and with more people come more kids and I hear it just like I’m certain our school board members and education administrators hear it ‘we’re going to overload our schools.’

“Yes, this is the challenge. Let’s just take a look at that. Challenges always mean opportunity and that opportunity today is we get to offer something to more kids, and that something is Hamblen County Education.”

Chesney then explained how local government officials work to give students a Hamblen County education, which means a great education.

“We get to turn out more kids who will have been through our school system and we want what they get here to be better than where they would have gotten wherever they were,” Chesney said. “How do we make that happen?

“We will build a new school and another one if the population demands it. We ensure quality education by keeping elementary classroom sizes small.

“When kids trying to learn to read have too many classmates to share with one teacher, we get the kind of results the state of Tennessee and Hamblen County got this year about reading test scores. When you do this, it tells our current citizens and the newcomers, that when you send your children across the stage on graduation night, they will have something that others around us do not have, a Hamblen County Education.”

Hamblen County School Board Chairperson Carolyn Clawson explained how the school will help overcrowding issues not only at the school but in the entire district.

“We all have waited patiently for the day and we hope you all enjoy it,” she said. “This project shows everyone’s commitment to education and preparing our students for not only their futures but the future of Hamblen County.

“This is a great day for our school district. The new school will house the current students at Lincoln Heights Elementary School with some room to address district needs. The school will fully support today’s education technology safety and will have a closed classroom creating an optimal learning environment.”

Lincoln Elementary School Principal Shelley Green explained the school’s commitment to students and how the new building will help them on their journey.

“The vision of Lincoln Heights Elementary School is a journey toward excellence and a commitment to every learner,” Green said. “This new facility will ensure we are successful on this journey and shows we are committed to every learner.

“Our highest priority will always be providing a high quality education and a safe environment for our students and staff.”

Green explained how she dreams of the day the new school will be opened and the ceremony helps her get one step closer to having her dream come true.

“As this day approached I would always catch myself daydreaming of the first day in our new facility,” she said. “In this dream I’m standing at the front doors and all of my attention is drawn to the expression of astonishment on the students’ faces as they see the school for the first time. I’m positive the first day will be a day etched into our minds forever.”

She thanked everyone for helping to get the new school built and it will help so many future patriots.

“On behalf of Lincoln Heights Elementary staff, students and their families I want to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Bunch (Hamblen County Superintendent of Schools Arnold Bunch), the school board, county and city officials and many others who have made this possible.

“This step along our journey will ensure excellence and commitment to generations of patriots to come.”

Before the group broke ground on the site of the new elementary school. Bunch thanked Jeff Perry, the previous superintendent of schools.

“The last person I need to make a sincere thank you to isn’t here right now, but we need to thank Jeff Perry,” Bunch said. “Dr. Perry initiated the effort here to purchase the land and championed to get the project moving forward and if it had not been started until I got here and it would have been further delayed and I’m glad Jeff got this started and I know he’s proud of what we’re doing today.”