Wednesday, August 7, 2002
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Wednesday, August 7, 2002 |
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Freshmen to report 1 year early for new high school By MICHAEL BOYLAN
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.
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