The local planning committee submitted its report last Thursday night to the Simpson County School Board. Comprised of a members representing a cross-section of the community, the planning committee studies needs and makes recommendations.

Soon, the Simpson County School District will have approximately $9 million in bonding potential depending on interest rates. “The bad part is,” said Interim Superintendent Ray Hammers “is that we have $27 million in needs.”

“Still, though, I believe we can take care of our most pressing needs,” said Hammers.

About five years ago, a task force of local community and school leaders met to look at configuration of the Simpson County schools because it differs from others across the state and because it doesn’t necessary conform to the standards set forth in the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act. One of KERA’s main provisions was to create what is a known as an ungraded primary system in which students in grades 1-3 would advance at their own pace. Before, when students were held back a grade, especially in the elementary level, the word “failure” had a dramatic effect and led to dropouts later.

As it stands, preschool, kindergarten and entry level (first grade) are at Franklin Elementary; grades 2-4 are at Simpson Elementary; grades 5-6 are at Lincoln Elementary; grades 7-8 are at the F-S Middle School; and grades 9-12 are at the high school.

Plans suggested by the planning committee would be to leave preschool and kindergarten at Franklin Elementary and then have grades 1-3 at Simpson Elementary, grades 4-5 at Lincoln Elementary, grades 6-8 at the F-S Middle School and grades 9-12 at the high school.

“This is being done to make the accountability system work and to better conform with KERA, and its is also being done to relieve traffic congestion around the schools,” said Hammers. “One of our main goals is to improve the traffic flow around the schools.”

To make it happen, several of the school will have to undergo renovations. Plans are the addition of 10 new classrooms, a cafeteria and resource room at the middle school (these would be connected to the middle school gym) and roof replacement; removal and relocation of modular classroom units, addition to administrative area and major upgrade to the facade, lobby, electrical system and heating/air systems at Franklin Elementary; replacement of heating/cooling system and roof and cafeteria addition at Simpson Elementary.

These projects would consume the bulk of Simpson County’s bonding potential Projected costs for the work listed above are $4.22 million at the middle school, $1.78 million at Franklin Elementary and $2.76 million at Simpson Elementary.

If funding becomes available, other noteworthy aspects of the district facility plan are the removal of the bus garage from the high school campus because it’s too small and to help relieve congestion; the addition of a standard size track for competition around the soccer field located near the new softball field and Simpson Elementary on Witt Road; and the building of a multi-purpose athletic facility at the high school.

Hammers described these secondary priority projects – such as the $3.5 million athletic facility – as portions of a “wish list.”

The Simpson County School Board and Kentucky Board of Education must conduct public hearings on the school district facility plan. Final approval is expected by the first of July. Bond sales and planning will take another eight to 10 months with bids possibly being sought by April 2004. Construction could then begin.

Hammers said realistically the changes in the make-up of the schools will probably not be implemented until the 2005-2006 school year.

Committee members