A plan to consolidate Roane County's five high schools into one school has led to a pushback from parents in the community.
The Roane County Board of Education approved the plan during its meeting Thursday evening by a vote of 7-3, school board member Nadine Jackson confirmed to WBIR 10News.
Jackson represents district 7, which covers Midway. She voted against the plan and explained the board was considering five different scenarios to decide which schools should stay open or closed.
The cost of the new school is expected to be around $50 million, according to school board member Sam Cox, who also voted against it. He added that right now they're looking at a building near Roane State Community College, among other locations.
Cox explained another concern is that the change could make the trip to school much longer for certain students. He said high schoolers from Midway and Oliver Springs would need to be on a bus for an hour to an hour-and-a-half.
Seven school board members did vote in favor of the proposal, including Victor King.
King told 10News, "We feel like this is the best way to go at it."
He said the discussion of what to do with their current schools has been going on for several years as part of a school improvement plan.
King said the county would see significant savings if they combined the schools into one. He also added the consolidation would give every student access to a stronger education system under one roof.
The proposal will go to the Roane County Commission next.
Commissioner Randy Ellis, who represents the Harriman area, believes there is a better solution than consolidating all the schools into one.
"I think it would have a huge impact on the cities if you take the schools out of the communities not only moral wise but economically wise," Ellis said.
He added it would be expensive and would increase taxes for everyone living in Roane County.
"So just because we are going to have this big brand new school don’t mean we are going to have all this other stuff to offer," he said.
Meanwhile, an online petition is hoping to convince commissioners to vote the plan down.
As of Friday night, more than 780 people have signed the Change.org petition to 'Stop Roane County Tennessee Mega High School.'
"Stop the funding to build a new Mega High school! It is not realistic to combine all five schools. The distance these kids would have to ride a bus alone is unrealistic! Jobs will be lost, taxes raised and there are no benefits to our kids!," the petition states.