To build a primary school

School board ponders possibility of funding for new primary school

By: Frank Bradley

Clay County Schools wants to build a new PK-2 school. It will be approximately 78,000 square feet and cost approximately $10 million, The land has already been purchased by the county commissioners. The new school will remove approximately 450 students from our current campus. By removing these students our current campus should be able to accommodate growth for the next 15 to 20 years. The new primary building will be completely self-contained with its own cafeteria, gym and playgrounds.

An application for Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) at zero percent interest in the amount of $756,000 has been approved by the state. At the school board meeting last week, Superintendent Scott Penland said there may be other loan money if other schools with a tight budget don’t participate in this program this year. Authority for additional funds may revert back and be available to Clay County Schools.

The board voted to approve pursuing this course of action.

In other matters, Penland said he is not planning any kind of mass layoff of staff and faculty unless the bottom drops out of the budget for 2010-2011. However, he doesn’t know what will happen the following school year.

The following End of School Year activities were provided: June 3 HES PTO spring fling; HMS Chorus concert at 6 p.m.; June 6 Baccalaureate Service at 6 p.m. at Meadow Grove Baptist Church; June 7 Pre-K graduation 12:30 at Outdoor Classroom; June 8 K graduation 9:30 a.m. Outdoor classroom; June 9 8th Grade promotion 9 a.m.; June 9 7th Grade awards at 10:15 a.m. auditorium; June 9 1st Grade field day/awards. June 10th 4th Grade awards auditorium at 8:30 a.m., 6th Grade awards at 10 a.m., 5th Grade awards at 11 a.m. 3rd Grade awards at individual classrooms.

High School graduation on June 11 at 7:30 p.m. on football field.