MADISONVILLE, KY (2/21/12) –The first day of school of Hopkins County Schools will be August 8, 2012 for students and last day will be May 21st, 2013. Teachers and staff will begin on August 6 for staff development and last day will be May 22nd for Closing Day. More on the schedule below.
The new Career and Technology Center is still moving as a result of the earth under the building continuing to settle. Mike Morgan told SurfKY News following the meeting that some of the top experts in the world were working on the project. “These people are the Red Adair of this sort of thing. They have picked up buildings smaller than this - floor and all.” Morgan said. He was referring to Red Adair who was world renowned for extinguishing oil well fires.
James Lee Stevens told SurfKY News that he did not have a price estimate. Stevens did say that any repair would have to be guaranteed. “If we get a price of $2 million and they think it will be ok, that is not ok. I think it would be better to pay $3.5 million with a guarantee than $2 million without a guarantee. I think that would make a lot more sense for the people of Hopkins County. We do have insurance.”
In a status report presented by Steve Gilliam, Director of Facilities and Safety: “The architectural and engineering professionals continue to analyze the data relating to soil compaction. They are also researching solutions to the settlement issues. The data has shown some continued movement at the site, but that appears to have slowed considerably. The movement continues to be primarily in the northern section of the building. Everyone is committed to coming up with a plan that delivers a building that is stable and structurally sound for many years into the future. We have asked for a plan to present to the board before the end of March.”
The board approved payment of $3,309.60 to Larry Schwering Architect, PLLC for review of soil and engineering reports, and a payment of $18,900.00 to Terracon Consultants, Inc. for initial consulting crack monitor reading, etc., and a payment of $15,124 to Quick Crete Companies for unit masonry, mortar, etc. All three payments were charged to BG10-120 Hopkins County Schools Career & Technology Center.
Assertions by Bill McReynolds, president of Concerned Citizens Society, drew a strong response from Superintendent, James Lee Stevens. McReynolds presented a list from an anonymous source about conditions at the Hopkins County Alternate Day Treatment. McReynolds said that after receiving the letter he visited the facility and found many of the assertions of the letter as “pretty much accurate”. Of the issues listed in the anonymous letter, McReynolds mentioned several that he had personally observed. There is no gym or place for students to engage in physical activity. The only sink is in the restrooms. McReynolds pointed out that the parking is across the street but there is no crosswalk. The boys’ bathroom has only one stall, the ladies’ bathroom has two stalls and the two bathrooms serve a student population of 19 and staff of 11. McReynolds described the conditions as “almost barbaric if you ask me”. “These aren’t the best students” McReynolds said “but, they are human beings.”
Stevens told the board that “several of the allegations were not true”. Stevens pointed out that the program had been relocated from the old Anton School which was rated the “9th worst building in Kentucky of 480 something buildings”. Stevens said that 10 years ago the program was funded 80%/20% with the school system paying 20% - now its 25%/75% with the county at 75%. Stevens said “Mr. Gilliam will address the situation with you.”
Assistant superintendent, Linda Zellich, reported that Central High School was beginning its 36-60-90 day plan for board approval. Hopkins Central was identified as a “Persistently Low Achieving “school in October, 2011. Central was one of 19 middle and high schools across the state of Kentucky added to the 22 schools identified in 2010.
The school calendar for 2012-2013 was released:
-Holidays: September 3 – Labor Day; November 22 – Thanksgiving; December 25 – Christmas; January 21 – M.L. King Day
-Staff Development: Aug 6; Aug 29; Sept 26; March 27
-Days not in calendar: Oct 8-12 Fall Break; November 6 Presidential Election Day; November 21 – day before Thanksgiving; November 23 – Day after Thanksgiving; Dec 21-Jan 1 – Winter Break; -Feb 15 – No school; Feb 18 – President’s Day; March 15 – No school; April 8-12 – Spring Break.
-Makeup days: Feb 15, March 15, May 22-24, March 27, Feb 18, May 28-31, June 3-7.
Ron Sanders
SurfKY News
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