Parents lead $5 million fundraising drive to improve three elementary schools

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) announced a $5 million investment in three elementary schools made possible through a fundraising drive led by parents.Former Percy Priest Elementary School PTO President Katie Agnew and Percy Priest parent Sharon Martin led the fundraising effort that will help improve construction projects already in place to build larger gymnasiums at Percy Priest and Lakeview Elementary along with an expanded cafeteria and playtorium at Paragon Mills Elementary.The two philanthropists envision a space for Metro students to be successful and improve the school community.“Initially, we wanted to enhance the gym at Percy Priest, but it soon became clear that we had an opportunity to broaden our impact,” said Martin. “By including Lakeview and Paragon Mills in our efforts, we ensure that more of our young learners have the spaces they need to thrive.”Members of the MNPS Board of Education and Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle recognized the work the two parents did helping raise the money at this week’s board meeting.The three schools are set to open by the start of the school year in 2025, with some ongoing work continuing through the school year to complete construction.“Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, we are able to make significant enhancements to our school facilities that go beyond the standard provisions,” said MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle. “These spaces will serve as hubs for student engagement and learning, reinforcing our commitment to creating environments where all students can succeed. Together, we identified a need to ensure an equitable experience for all students, leading to an expansion of this program to other elementary schools funded for renovation/replacement in this latest cohort of capital projects.”