CCPS Superintendent talks budget, farewell to MLK Elementary School

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching for Christian County Public Schools, and the superintendent says they’re looking forward to graduations and other farewell events. 

Graduates from the class of 2024 at both Christian County and Hopkinsville High Schools won’t be the only ones the school system bids farewell to—a final farewell ceremony is scheduled for Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.  Superintendent Chris Bentzel says while the campus will be home to the new Hopkinsville Middle School, it’s time as an elementary school is ending, so they’ll have a send-off from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day.

Then, attention turns to next school year and the upcoming fiscal year, with Bentzel saying he and his administration will present the tentative budget at this week’s school board meeting. He says it’s a strong budget that will allow for staff raises, technology upgrades and smooth transitions between schools.

Superintendent Bentzel says they also plan to unfreeze the step increases and continue the $1,000 stipend for staff members.

Graduation will take place at the Stadium of Champions Friday, with Hopkinsville High School first at 5 p.m. and Christian County High School following at 8:30 p.m.