ACCORDING TO A RECENT SCHOOL CAPACITY REPORT, FOUR SCHOOLS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY FACE SERIOUS OVERCROWDING OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS. ACCORDING TO TERRY GILHULA WITH PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION FACILITIES ASSESSMENT, A CONSULTING FIRM OUT OF KNOXVILLE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE EASTERN SECTION OF THE COUNTY ARE NEAR 90 PERCENT CAPACITY. HE SAID THE LACK OF SPACE NEGATIVELY IMPACTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BECAUSE IT INCREASES THE STRESS LEVEL AMONG STUDENTS. THE COUNTY HIRED THE CONSULTANT GROUP TO STUDY THE PROBLEMS AS WELL AS FOCUS ON THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTY’S SCHOOL BUILDINGS. THE INFORMATION IS EXPECTED TO HELP COUNTY LEADERS DECIDE ON BUILDING NEW SCHOOLS OR COMBINING SOME EXISTING FACILITIES.