Kingsport Unveils Plans for New Lynn Garden Elementary School

Community feedback session held to gather input on design and features of the new two-story school.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kingsport City Schools and the City of Kingsport hosted a community information and feedback session to share early details about a new elementary school planned for the Lynn Garden area. The session allowed residents to provide input on the school's design philosophy, operational layout, site development, and grounds and recreation features. The new two-story elementary school will replace Kennedy and Roosevelt elementary schools and is expected to serve up to 750 students, with demolition and site preparation starting in 2027 and the school opening in 2029.

Why it matters

The new Lynn Garden Elementary School is an important project to keep pace with growing enrollment across Kingsport. By engaging the community early in the process, the school district and city aim to design a facility that not only meets the educational needs of students, but also functions as a community hub with shared spaces for after-hours use.

The details

The community feedback session focused on three major areas: the design philosophy and operational layout of the school, site development including roads, utilities and infrastructure, and grounds and recreation features such as playfields and walking paths. Representatives from Kingsport City Schools, the city government, and the architectural firms leading the project were on hand to answer questions and gather input from residents.

  • Demolition and site preparation at the Lynn View Community Center site are projected to cost about $4 million and are expected to be completed by July 2027.
  • Construction on the new school is expected to be finished in May 2029, with the school opening for students in August 2029.

The players

Kingsport City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Kingsport, Tennessee.

City of Kingsport

The local government of Kingsport, Tennessee, which is partnering with the school district on the new elementary school project.

Dr. Andy True

A representative from Kingsport City Schools who spoke at the community feedback session.

Chris Hampton

The Superintendent of Kingsport City Schools.

Thompson & Litton

The architectural firm leading the design work for the new elementary school.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We want to talk about the product end of the school, but also design a project that can continue to serve the community after the school bell rings at the end of the day.”

— Dr. Andy True, Representative, Kingsport City Schools (timesnews.net)

“This is about understanding the impact on the community, hearing concerns, thoughts and timelines, and how people may be impacted. We want to make sure the design retains the needs of the neighborhood while also meeting the needs of our students.”

— Dr. Andy True, Representative, Kingsport City Schools (timesnews.net)

“Our community is growing, and our capacity needs to increase. We have to respond to that while maintaining the quality of education and the experiences we provide our students.”

— Dr. Andy True, Representative, Kingsport City Schools (timesnews.net)

What’s next

Demolition and site preparation at the Lynn View Community Center site are projected to cost about $4 million and are expected to be completed by July 2027, with construction finished in May 2029 and the school opening for students in August 2029.

The takeaway

By engaging the community early in the planning process for the new Lynn Garden Elementary School, Kingsport City Schools and the City of Kingsport aim to design a facility that not only meets the educational needs of students, but also serves as a hub for the surrounding neighborhood with shared community spaces.