The Christian County School Board voted to move forward with consolidation of the local high schools at Thursday’s meeting.
The board heard multiple public comments at the start of the meeting, including from Anna Norris, who was staunchly against the consolidation, and informed the board that she felt they were disingenuous throughout the public forums and that they would be making an irresponsible choice if they voted in favor of combining the two high schools.
Much discussion was held before the vote to move forward with construction of a consolidated high school took place, with Board Chair Tom Bell saying he was voting for what he felt was best for children, as he feels they are owed the same opportunities students in other areas have, with a facility that is safer, state-of-the-art and with top notch education avenues.
Ultimately, the board voted 3-to-2 to approve a BG-1 to allow for construction of a consolidated high school, that will combine Christian County High and Hopkinsville High Schools. Board members Lindsey Clark and Mike Walker voted ‘no’. The vote resulted in some outcry from the audience from those who are against the move.
Clark says he voted against the consolidation because that’s what the majority of his constituents wanted and he is their representative, but he feels it will be beneficial to students.
Also approved at the meeting was the option to purchase real property in the area of New Towne Station at Fort Campbell Boulevard and Lovers Lane. The site is located between the shopping center at the campus of Murray State and the option to purchase was $1,000 until December 23, with the land owner’s agreement to keep the agreed purchase price of $6 million until that time.
In other action, the board voted unanimously to keep the property tax rate the same as last year’s at 42.3 cents per $100 of assessed value on real property and at 42.8 cents per $100 of assessed value on personal property.