Timeline

2015-2016: More than a half dozen public meetings are held across the Hillwood cluster footprint hosted by the district and the Hillwood cluster's school board member, Amy Frogge. Initially, the options under consideration are renovating Hillwood High School, rebuilding it in the same location, and building it across from Bellevue Middle School. Over time, another option - HopePark - emerges.

January 12, 2017: Amidst a campaign powered by Bellevue parents and community leaders to Build It in Bellevue, a public hearing at the School Board meeting features a long line of parents, teachers, and elected officials.

January 26, 2017: The School Board votes unanimously at its meeting to build a new high school at the HopePark site.

May 15, 2017: Mayor Megan Barry proposes issuance of $10.2 million in bonds for purchase of HopePark land for the new high school.

June 6, 2017: Metro Council approves an option agreement to purchase the land by a 34-0 vote.

June 13, 2017: The Metro Council approves a capital spending plan, which includes the land purchase funding, by a 28-6 vote.

October 8, 2018: Mayor David Briley proposes issuance of $10 million in bonds for work on the new high school site.

October 16, 2018: The Metro Council approves a capital spending plan, which includes the site work funding, by a 22-8 vote.

March 7, 2019: At a public meeting, Metro Schools presents an animated video of the new school and a slideshow showing the layout.

February 5, 2021: Mayor John Cooper proposes issuance of $100 million in bonds for construction of the new school.

March 2, 2021: The Metro Council approves the capital spending plan containing the construction funding by a 31-7 vote.

May 12, 2022: A groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction of the new school.

October 22, 2021: Mayor John Cooper proposes issuance of $29 million in bonds to complete the new school.

November 23, 2021: Following an extensive public engagement process that includes surveys of cluster middle schools students and the community at-large, the School Board votes to name the school James Lawson High School.

December 7, 2021: The Metro Council approves the capital spending plan containing the remaining construction funds by a XXXXX vote.

November 22, 2022: At a public event held at the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue, school leadership reveals James Lawson High School's mascot, logo, and colors.

August 2023: James Lawson High School will open its doors to students.