Students at the county's newest

and still unbuilt high school will start classes next year at the county's

oldest ex-high school. And that means attendance lines for many of Fayette

County's high school students will change a year earlier than expected.

Whitewater High School south

of Fayetteville will not be completed until the fall of 2004. Students

who will be sophomores when the 2004-2005 school year begins, however,

will start school together next year at the LaFayette Educational Center

the old Fayette County High School next to downtown Fayetteville.

Superintendent John DeCotis

recommended this action to the members of the Fayette County Board of

Education Monday night, stating that this would alleviate overcrowding

at Starr's Mill and the current Fayette County high schools. DeCotis also

said the early start would keep the ninth-graders in one high school rather

than starting them at another high school and pulling them out one year

later.

The LaFayette Educational Center

is currently used as the alternative school and evening high school. The

science labs, computer labs, gyms and media center have been renovated

and the school is functional, the board was told.

Assistant Superintendent Stuart

Bennett told the board that the kitchen would need to be upgraded but

in the long run this move may be more cost-effective, as more trailers

would not have to be added to the already existing schools to house the

extra students.

Vice Chairman Greg Powers was

concerned about a conflict between the Whitewater students and the evening

and alternative classes and asked how many students would not be attending

either Starr's Mill or Fayette County under this new plan.

Bennett answered that approximately

300 students from Fayette County and 200 students from Starr's Mill would

be at the new school. As for the conflict between the different groups

of students, DeCotis answered, "Starr's Mill used this facility for

part of a year before and it worked out well."

Bennett added that evening

classes will be starting at 4:30 p.m. again instead of 2:30 p.m., which

should help avoid some of the conflicts as well.

The board seemed to like the

plan. Janet Smola was for it as it did not significantly reduce capital

for other projects and Chairman Mickey Littlefield liked that the ninth-graders

would start together as a unit.

"It is less disruptive

for them and that is very important," Littlefield said.

Board member Terri Smith added,

"The school is a lot nicer than when I attended or taught there."

The move was approved unanimously

and the new high school boundaries will go into effect next fall. Letters

will go out to all parents soon letting them know that the attendance

lines will change one year early.

Back

to News Home Page |