Just saw this blurb on the WKMS (public radio) website. It discusses an unanticipated increase in enrollments for the schools in Montgomery County (Clarksville). This is interesting because usually school enrollments are fairly easy to predict, at least a few years out. It is one of those demographic forces whose trends follow stable patterns. So, have a large number of families with children moved to Clarksville?
WKMS: Montgomery Co. Schools Enrollment Up (2010-10-19)
The Blog Moves On
8 years ago
Perhaps it's a byproduct of movements involving families at Ft Campbell.
ReplyDeleteI certainly think Fort Campbell has a lot to do with it. However, Clarksville is also home to Austin Peay University. Austin Peay is one of the fastest growing Universities in the South. Clarksville is a nice area that is attractive for it's graduates to live in. The retail industry in Clarksville is booming. This creates many jobs and opportunities. Clarksville has also built a 200 million dollar hospital creating many jobs, especially for women who most likely have custody of their children should they be divorced. I believe it's a combination of many factors, rather than one single reason.
ReplyDeleteI read an article in the Clarksville newspaper and in one of the comments they talked about all the new housing developments going up in the area. Which would reflect the jobs Nathan and Landon mention above.
ReplyDeleteOne commenter also pointed out that the adminstrators forecasting the number of students should not have simple extrapolated --- they should have noticed the growth and adjusted their forecast.
Another factor in this is that the economy is forcing many service members to stay in Clarksville rather than move away after they get out of the Army. (Can't sell their house, lack of jobs elsewhere, etc.) Their kids might have gone to school on post but are no longer eligible since they don't have a parent in the service.
ReplyDeleteAlso, another thing most people don't realize...there is a baby boom after the post gets back from each deployment...the one in 2004 was pretty significant... So much that there was not enough medical care available on post & many women had to be sent to Clarksville for care. The Oprah show even came and did a suprise baby shower in Sep/Oct-ish 2004 for over 600 expecting soldiers/wives. These kids would all be about school-aged now.
Another unpredicted event was the flood in Nashville. This may have driven people into the surrounding area. Clarksville is a good place for relocation. It is growing and has several of the amenities of Nashville. Also, it is within commuting distance of Nashville.
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