BULLITT COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) — Back-to-school season is right around the corner, but you won't find students at Nichols Elementary School this year after the district decided to shut its doors.
Kids walked the halls of Nichols Elementary for 175 years, but after declining enrollment the school district said it was best to close.
District leaders said the school costs them nearly $8,500 more per student than other schools, and the board said the move is necessary to tighten the district’s budget.
The decision happened last September, causing major backlash from Nichols families.
"It is what a school should be. I don't think that anyone would ever entertain the thought of closing it but here we are," said a parent at last year's board meeting.
The board voted 4-1 to close it.Â
Now, two weeks out from the start of the school year, the board approved an agreement to give the building to the Bullitt County Fiscal Court.
"Our goal is to get that facility to continue to be utilized and an asset to the Nichols community," said BCPS Superintendent Jesse Bacon.
Bullitt County Judge-Executive Jerry Summers says the county already owns 14 acres behind the school. They're in the process of turning it into a community park.
They're hoping to add this building as part of that.
"The best opportunities that we have is to be able to bring the American Red Cross back to Bullitt County with a place where they can teach, train and educate as well," said Summers.
Right now, part of the building is for childcare, but Summers said they're looking into it as a place to host community events and a possible temporary staging spot for FEMA and the National Weather Service.
"We're seeking opportunities with other what I'm going to say tenants or people that can give back to the community as well," added Summers.
Part of the agreement between the county and BCPS is if more people move to Nichols and the need for another school comes the property would go back to the school district.
For now, county officials are looking ahead, and the next step is to finalize the agreement.
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