The high school consolidation project now has a name—Hopkinsville Christian County Academy—following approval at the Thursday meeting of the Christian County School Board.
The name likely comes with the mascot of the Wolfpack and the colors of black and royal blue, and comes after considerable discussion between board members, with Mike Walker saying the name wouldn’t really be unique locally and it makes it sound like a private school.
Board member Tiffany Mumford Brame says that it’s time to come together and choose a name that represents the unity between the two schools and the community going forward.
Ultimately, the Hopkinsville Christian County Academy name was approved 4-to-1, with Walker the lone ‘no’ vote.
Superintendent Chris Bentzel also discussed the strategic plan for the next three years, saying they intend to consolidate the athletics and other extra-curriculars by the 2023-2024 school year, clarifying that students will stay in the schools they’re in now until consolidation happens.
He says they also hope to move sixth graders back into the middle schools, out of the elementary schools, pending board approval and with things subject to change if needed.
Also approved at the meeting was the creation of a High School Consolidation Coordinator job description, which Bentzel says will have the goal of making sure the consolidation goes smoothly and successfully, from the building aspects to education to staff direction.
It is a temporary position, to be dissolved before the school opens hopefully in the summer or fall of 2024. The person hired could apply to the principal of the school—Bentzel says it is the last new position his administration will create for at least four years.