BULLITT COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) – The Bullitt County Board of Education has voted to realign the school district, a decision that will close Nichols Elementary and affect roughly 700 students—or about 6% of the county’s public school enrollment.
The vote held Monday evening was emotional, with parents sharing heartfelt testimony about what the school means to the community.
Nichols Elementary, located about 10 minutes outside Shepherdsville on Highway 44, is a one-level school with roots going back decades. Parents told WDRB that they cherish the school’s small class sizes, personalized attention from teachers, and tight-knit community.
“It is what a school should be,” one parent said before the board vote. “I don’t think anyone would ever entertain the idea of closing it, but here we are.”
Others questioned the practicality of the move. “It makes no sense why you would send my kids to a school that is further away,” another parent said.
Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon explained the financial reasoning behind the decision. Nichols Elementary costs the district nearly $8,500 more per student than other schools, and the board said the move is necessary to tighten the district’s budget.
“I know that this doesn’t make it any easier, but I feel incumbent upon me to share that a lot of thought, a lot of consideration, and a lot of prayer has gone into the proposal that’s been put in place,” Bacon said. “I know that many folks don’t agree with it, and I understand that.”
The board voted 4-1 in favor of the district-wide realignment plan that includes the closure of Nichols Elementary. High school students who are affected by the realignment can remain at their current schools but will need to provide their own transportation.
“This recommendation reflects a balance of data-driven analysis and community considerations, with the goal of ensuring long-term sustainability and equitable opportunities for all Bullitt County students,” Mr. Wood, who served on the realignment committee, said.
However, many parents say the data doesn’t capture the full impact of the closure. “We’ll lose our community,” said Mackie French. “It’ll be western Bullitt County. It won’t be Nichols. No more.”
For over an hour, parents shared their memories and concerns, highlighting friendships formed since kindergarten and the sense of belonging that comes with attending a small community school. For them, the decision is painful.
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