The school district this week released its annual Inventory of School Housing report, which is based on attendance on the 20th day of classes, which was Friday.
Schools in the district are labeled "critically overcrowded" when they exceed 140 percent of their enrollment capacity with the use of portables.
When schools are critically overcrowded, the district reviews options such as double sessions, additional portables, boundary changes and enrollment caps as means to alleviate overcrowding.
Four schools are topping 100 percent capacity: Avery Elementary at 103, Chapman Intermediate at 123, Creekland Middle at 102 and E.T. Booth Middle at 110.
If their portables were removed, 17 more would exceed 100 percent capacity, and three of those would be at or above the "critical overcrowding" level of 140 percent: Ball Ground Elementary at 159, Chapman Intermediate at 157 and E.T. Booth Middle at 170. The three schools were the same ones that reached this capacity last year .
County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said while the days of seeing 1,500 to 2,000 new students enroll each year are "in our rearview mirrors," the current growth rate still impacts space in schools.
The district had projected 600 additional students would enroll this school year for a total of 38,828. As of Friday, 411 more students than at this point a year ago have enrolled, with the total now at 38,636.
The three schools closest to the "critical overcrowding" mark without portables are slated to soon see relief in the form of replacement or new schools.
A replacement Ball Ground Elementary School is under construction and is scheduled to open in August 2012.
A planned replacement facility for E.T. Booth Middle will aid both it and Chapman intermediate. It's scheduled to open in August 2013.
A new elementary school being constructed on Hunt Road in southwest Cherokee County also will provide relief to area schools including Chapman Intermediate when it opens in August 2012
"It will not only help out Oak Grove (Elementary School), but will make a huge difference on the Etowah campus," Petruzielo added.
He said the district staff and school board deserves "a slap on the back" for staying ahead of the curve and planning for new schools in these areas, noting the majority of construction funds are generated locally through sales tax.
"It would show the tax-paying public that they are getting a great return on their investments," he added.
Ball Ground Elementary is at 85 percent capacity with the use of 16 portables, which now account for nearly 50 percent of its classroom space.
The school houses students in the third through fifth grades, along with many special programs, in its portables.
Principal Doug Knott said, despite the use of portables, teachers and staff are "able to meet the high expectations for teaching and learning."
Knott added many in the Ball Ground community look forward to being able to fit comfortably in the new facility taking shape.
"It is an exciting time for sure, and we certainly are grateful to the superintendent, school board and the City of Ball Ground for the joint work that went into securing this building site and making the construction of the new school a reality," he added.
While it's hovering at 123-percent overcrowding even with its use of 14 portables, Chapman Intermediate is managing its growth well, said Principal Dr. Pam Colvin.
An additional one to two students also were added to classrooms due to class size increases, she added, but noted "our instructional spaces are working well for students and teachers."
The school has seen the biggest impact of overcrowding in the common areas, such as the gym, cafeteria and hallways.
The staff anticipated that larger classes would impact the cafeteria during lunch time and made adjustments during the first week of classes, Dr. Colvin noted.
"Currently, we are doing well and meeting the needs of our students with the space available," she added.
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