Board of Education members are balking at the idea that in order for students to study the environment, the board may have to destroy a little of it.

The group Monday tabled a proposal to clear-cut approximately 17 acres of timberland to fund a new greenhouse and environmental science program at Fayette County High School, and directed staff to study alternative measures.

According to Jerry Whitaker, coordinator for the school district's Vocational and Technical Education Program, the property is on the corner of McElroy and McDonough roads and was deeded to the Board of Education in 1959 for the Future Farmers of America forestry plot. The land also is in the path of a planned extension of County Line Road, which could be completed in five or 15 years depending on federal restrictions on new road construction.

“We would lose the land anyway,” board member Greg Powers pointed out.

Many of the trees standing on the acreage have reached 40 to 45 years of age and are beginning to die off, Whitaker told the board. “We would like to salvage the timber, before it starts to clear itself out,” he said. Three bidders have offered to pay between $26,000 and $41,000 for the timber.

“I'm very uncomfortable with it,” said Debbie Condon, school board chairman. “I'd like to see how much money it would cost to thin those trees. I don't feel good about clear-cutting 17 acres,” she said.

Dr. John DeCotis, school superintendent, said staff members also are considering a similar move at North Fayette Elementary School, which will have to clear three acres for a septic system to support its new addition. Revenue accrued from the sale of timber could be used to finance playground improvements, DeCotis said.

Condon asked Whitaker to check into thinning the area with follow-up reseeding, and to check out any impact their actions may have on the environment.

The school system received a $50,000 state grant in July to construct a 40-foot by 80-foot greenhouse for studies at Fayette County High School. Whitaker said the money earned from the sale of timber could be used to stock the greenhouse.

There is an existing greenhouse at the LaFayette Education Center, but the cost of moving it was estimated at $35,000. Plans are to declare it “surplus” and make it available to another school or use it for storage.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page