Suburbs

Two school expansions made the news this week.

One in Germantown; one in Collierville.

One private; one public.

Both providing the opportunity to make room for additional students.

In Germantown, word became official that Madonna Learning Center was moving onto the tract to the east of the school on Poplar east of Poplar Estates.

In Collierville, Crosswind Elementary added an annex that will not only expand the space for students but also add rooms for arts and music.

Both were needed as the interest in the two schools grows. And the Crosswind work had an added benefit for parents.

Madonna absorbing the land to the east wasn’t really that much of a secret. Two houses deep into the south end of the property were razed, and a city sign indicating a change in use for the property was posted at the entrance on Poplar. A long stretch of driveway led back to the houses.

The property’s only real notoriety was in 2013 when a woman — Heather Palumbo-Jones — disappeared from one of the houses. Her estranged husband – Chris Jones – was eventually convicted in her death after her body was found in East Shelby County.

Beyond that, it was a wooded area where little could be seen from Poplar.

Madonna’s expansion onto the site will provide 16,000 square feet for its adult program for special needs people, opening its own dedicated space for the 50 adults who participate.

“They are going to have their own facility where they can move to and learn to do adult things,” said Greg Marcom, an engineer with the Reaves Firm and former alderman. Moving the adults to their own building will also open space for its school-age students.

In addition to the new building, 3,200 square feet will be added to the existing school, along with a new playground.

The Crosswind Elementary expansion is 17,348 square feet and will mean 13 more classrooms; two for music and arts, nine general education classrooms and two for special education.

But the additional space not only provides more room for students but also allows the suburban district to avoid controversy for a bit.

Redistricting.

With the expansion of Crosswind, students get to remain in their respective schools. No shifting to balance enrollment across the lower grades. That transferring of students from one school to another can cause some hand-wringing. I mean, any change is always a bit troublesome.

But with more space, the moves are not necessary yet. So, parents previously worried about their students having to change schools can breathe easier for a bit.

With the Crosswind work, the school not only gets more room, but everyone gets to stay put for now. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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