School Board votes to rename old CCHS, relocate alternative programs

The Christian County School Board voted to relocate the district’s alternative learning programs and to close the current high school campuses once the academic year ends at Thursday’s meeting.

The consolidated Christian County High School is set to open at the start of the 2026-27 academic year, so board members voted to close the current Christian County High School, Hopkinsville High School and both Gateway Academy locations.

The board then approved renaming the CCHS campus to Christian County Learning Center, and Pupil Personnel Director Melanie Barrett says it will house Bluegrass Learning Academy and the Virtual Learning Academy. Superintendent Chris Bentzel says the Focus and Finish program and possibly a small day treatment program will also be at the learning center.

Then, focusing on the consolidated high school, Tim Geegan from Alliance Corporation says construction is continuing on schedule. Following his report, board members asked him if any of the building’s windows had been knocked out as a result of work taking place at a neighboring quarry, but Geegan confirmed none of the windows were damaged.

The board approved nine construction change orders for the consolidated high school, resulting in the price tag increasing by around $94,000. Geegan says there are 25 separate contracting companies working on the consolidated high school, which has led to more orders being required in order to make changes.

The board also approved purchasing two 231-inch LED displays for the high school’s auxiliary gym and the main commons area, a floor cleaning machine, automotive lab equipment and wireless network equipment.