Jonesborough breaks ground on new school

Students, parents, and local officials turned the dirt to break ground on the Jonesborough Elementary, the long-awaited K-8 school for the town. The $42 million construction project has been a grassroots project in Jonesborough for several years and is being completed through a first-of-its-kind lease-purchase agreement between the town and the Washington County Commission. Located on 48 acres, the 137,000-square-foot building is being partially financed through a $32.7 million loan through the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program and will feature 53 classrooms, labs, art rooms, music rooms, collaboration spaces, a cafeteria, media center, and gym.