LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Greater Clark County Schools is one step closer to building an elementary school despite community pushback.

GCCS has proposed to build a new kindergarten through fifth grade school along Salem-Noble Road just outside of Jeffersonville City limits.

Building a school along the hilly and narrow road is a concern for several neighbors who live in the area.

"You can't see people coming out of their driveways because of the hills," said Diana Combass, who lives next to the proposed site. 

Several others spoke against the school project at Wednesday's Clark County's planning and zoning meeting. Concerns about cars and buses backing up on the narrow road and possible drainage issues were brought up.

"I wouldn't want my grandkids going there," said Combass. "Not on this road."

Proposed GCCS elementary school plan

Proposed GCCS elementary school plan

Despite the pushback, the committee approved the zoning change.

GCCS said the enrollment at the school would be around 750 students, and is necessary given the county's growing population.

"We're seeing enrollment growth and trying to keep up with that growth," said Superintendent Mark Laughner. "In between Jeffersonville and Charlestown there’s already 2,000 homes platted and approved to be built. Obviously those kids living in those homes need somewhere to go to school."

Addressing concerns related to traffic backups, Laughner said it plans to set the school far enough back on the site so cars and buses can queue on the property, in separate lines.

"There's no doubt in my mind we can really make this work, and that's why we really like the site," said Laughner.

The district said its a tax-neutral project, meaning it won't raise taxes to build the school.

Part of the purchase agreement was continued on the zoning approval. GCCS said it hopes to close on the land in the next two to three weeks.

Laughner said it spent a year and a half looking for a site to build the new elementary school.

This project adds on to the list of construction for GCCS. Next year, it will complete construction on Pike and Charlestown Elementary Schools.

It will also begin construction on a school replacement project for Parkwood Elementary in Clarksville.

GCCS will also break ground on a new middle school near Highway 62, on the former Twi-Lite Golf Course.

"We want to be good neighbors to all the neighbors around there and make sure we don't cause any problems out there," Laughner said. 

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