Muscle Shoals Council approves property transfer for new elementary school

By Dr. Chad Holden

Special to The Reporter

 

Muscle Shoals Council approves property transfer for new elementary school

The Muscle Shoals City Council voted unanimously March 2 to convey property behind Webster School to the Muscle Shoals Board of Education, clearing the way for plans to construct a new elementary school campus.

Superintendent Chad Holden presented the proposal to the council, outlining a multi-year planning process and emphasizing the need to prepare for continued growth in the city.

“The 2020 Census confirmed what we had already begun to see,” Holden said. “Muscle Shoals was one of the fastest-growing cities of our size in Alabama, with a 23% growth rate. All projections suggest we are on pace to see similar growth again.”

Holden also referenced anticipated economic development connected to Space Command and related industry, noting that additional job growth could further accelerate residential expansion in the coming years.

“Ready or not, growth is coming,” Holden told council members. “Whether we build or not, the people are coming. I believe it is far better to be ready.”

Planning driven by growth and community input

The superintendent traced the proposal back to June 2023, when community members gathered at the Muscle Shoals High School library to begin discussions about a long-term master plan for the city. That meeting led to further engagement, including a stakeholder survey.

According to Holden, three key concerns consistently rose to the top: traffic congestion along Avalon Avenue, continued population growth and the age of existing school facilities.

Traffic congestion was highlighted as a significant issue because four campuses — McBride Elementary, Muscle Shoals Middle School, Muscle Shoals High School and the Career Academy — are located in close proximity along Avalon Avenue.

“If you’ve been down Avalon during morning drop-off or afternoon pickup, you know how congested it can be,” Holden said. “Relocating one campus would relieve traffic and immediately create room for growth at our secondary schools.”

Facility age was also cited as a pressing concern. Some district buildings date back to the 1950s. While well maintained, Holden said aging infrastructure presents ongoing challenges.

“It’s not what you see — it’s what you don’t see,” he said, referencing roofs, plumbing and HVAC systems that have required increasing attention in recent years. “We’re operating 21st-century schools on mid-20th-century infrastructure.”

Proposed campus and grade realignment

The site approved by the council, formerly little league fields behind Webster School that are no longer in use, will serve as the location for Phase 1 of the district’s long-term plan.

The proposed campus would house Grades 2nd-4th, relocating those students from McBride Elementary. First grade would move to Highland Park Elementary, which would become a dedicated first-grade center. Fifth grade would remain at the current McBride campus and operate as part of the middle school.

By moving McBride off Avalon Avenue, Holden said the district would significantly reduce traffic congestion while creating expansion capacity for both the middle and high schools.

Renderings presented to the council showed a two-story elementary facility inspired in part by Pelham Ridge Elementary in Pelham, Alabama.

Cost and funding

Mayor Billy Hudson asked about the projected cost of the project. Holden responded that architectural estimates provided last year placed construction costs in the range of $45 million to $54 million.

The district plans to pursue bond financing to fund the project.

“Our current debt service is well below five percent of our overall budget,” Holden said, adding that the school system is in a strong position to issue bonds while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Holden closed by thanking city leaders for their partnership and emphasizing that the plan represents years of collaboration and preparation.

“We believe this positions Muscle Shoals to be ready for the future,” he said.