New Metro parents sign up students for school year

WKRN Channel 2 News NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With just two weeks to go before the start of the school year, new student registration is underway Monday at schools across Davidson County. A.Z. Kelley Elementary School in Antioch saw a steady stream of parents like Shellie Jones signing up their children. "I'm off during the week and I just thought I would beat the rush, rather than coming at the end of the week," Jones told News 2. Marsha Dunn is the school's principal and said they've had more kindergarteners, third graders and fourth graders sign up than expected. Entering its fourth year, A.Z. Kelley is one of Metro's newest schools and is already over capacity. "Probably at this point we're going to have to add two more [portable] classrooms, maybe three, and the neat trick is going to be finding a place to put them," Dunn said. While A.Z. Kelley is located in an area of Davidson County that continues to grow in population, Director of Schools Dr. Jesse Register believes the entire district may see some growth because of the economy. "I think a number of people who are facing economic challenges as so many people are, with our unemployment rate getting close to 10% in this state now, we think there are a number of people who will be looking back to public education for their choices," he said. Over the last two years, Dunn said she has seen some students come to A.Z. Kelley from private schools and says the growth could be due, in part, to A.Z. Kelley's good reputation. "Why pay for an education when you can have one for free?" she asked. New student registration will continue at every Metro school through the end of the week. Metro teachers officially report on August 10 although many are already in their classrooms getting ready. The first day of school is August 14. Wilson County and Lebanon students reported for their first full day Monday.