As you may have already heard, Anderson County School District Five obtained an option to buy 30+ acres on Cathey Road for the purpose of building a new elementary school. While we are supporters of public education, and want what is best for our children, we don't believe a Cathey Road location is the best choice for either. Is the Cathey Road area the best and safest location for a school? Is the District going to pay for all the road improvements that a new school will require? Or will they pay only for what the State Board of Education requires at the entrance to the school, build the school and then say, "Dear Anderson County taxpayer, how about a couple million dollars to fix and improve the road since it is not safe and cannot handle the increase in traffic we have caused."
We hope this site will help concerned citizens and parents on and around Cathey and Concord Roads and elsewhere in the community to know how to voice their concern over this proposal. We hope that you will make your voice heard and demand that District Five find a safer location for our children and save Anderson County taxpayers millions! Click Here to sign our petition opposing Cathey Rd. for this new school location.
**If you'd like a SaveCatheyRoad.com sign for your yard/property, please Click Here**
Updates:
12/10/09 Today the Land Use and Board of Appeals unanimously granted the school Board's exception request without conditions. We hope that the safety concerns with this location remain only concerns and that no harm comes to the staff or children that will attend this school. Thank you to those of you who have supported this cause.
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12/03/09 At the Citizens Advisory Board on 12/02/09, the Board recommended approval for the School District's zoning exception to put a school on Hwy 81 North. Opponents of the original location on Cathey Road requested that approval be granted under the conditions that the school site was at least 200 yards from the high voltage powerlines that are being installed and the Duke Energy substation that has been constructed on the adjacent property. Opponents argued that the studies showing increased risk of childhood diseases such as leukemia and brain tumors show increased risk inside of 200 yards from high voltage lines. They also requested periodic testing of the electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Opponents also requested fencing be put up around the back of the proposed property to prevent children from wandering into these areas and near the pond on an adjacent property and/or the power substation area. They cited risks of fire and/or electrocution as concerns. The advisory board did not deliberate on these conditions and instead recommended approval of the exception with a vote of 4-0. The Land Use Board of Appeals will make the final decision December 10 at 4:30pm in the Historic County Courthouse in a public meeting.
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11/24/09 District Five has requested the zoning exception to build the school that was originally slated to be built on Cathey Rd. The new property has Hwy 81 access but is still adjacent to the Duke Energy substation, which has already been built. The Citizens Advisory Committee meeting on this issue is Wednesay, Dec. 2nd at 6:30pm in the Anderson County Council Chambers on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse, 101 S. Main Street in Anderson. The Land Use Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 10th at 4:30pm in ths same location. You can view the proposed property HERE.
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Anderson School District Five has announced a second purchase option on another piece of property in the general vicinity of the first piece of property. it is adjacent to the previous piece and is still adjacent to the Duke Energy property which will have the power substation and high voltage power lines. The safety concerns over the proximity to the substation and powerlines have been reiterated to the board to no avail. The School District's quest for cheap property, regardless of the safety concerns, remains.
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At the May 19th School Board Meeting, the school board continued to claim they have not decided on the Cathey Rd. location. However, state DOT has said that it came out last year to review this property. Betty Bagley and David Brooks, as well as other board members have stated that they are not considering any other properties other than the Cathey Rd. location. Betty Bagley also stated to the residents of Cathey Rd. on April 29th, that they would begin with the school construction right away after the 120-day phase is over. We continue to see one contradiction after another from the District 5 School Board.
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The safety issues involving this location choice were clearly voiced at this meeting. Traffic safety, road/school compatibility and most importantly -- the Duke Energy substation and 10-story tall powerlines that will skirt the edge of the school property. If we do not continue to demand a safer and healthier location for children, the school board will disregard these concerns and continue with its own agenda.
