NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- After months with little clarity over whether or not Nelson County will consolidate some of its schools, a new plan is in the works.
There was some movement during a Nelson County Schools Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening on a proposal to have one high school instead of two. But there was also movement on the board itself.
District superintendent Wes Bradley introduced the preliminary "Connected Campus Plan," which would merge Thomas Nelson High School into Nelson County High School.
The board voted 3-2 to continue developing the superintendent's plan.
This comes months after the board voted to kill its previous "Community Campus Plan," approved by the state of Kentucky, to merge middle schools to its two high schools.
Since then, there has been concern about combining the two high schools. That brought mixed opinions during the public comment portion of Tuesday's board meeting, including how it would impact school sports.
"I play softball at Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson has 25 girls, Nelson County has 20 to 25. If the teams combined that would be at least 50 girls. At least 20 girls would have to be cut," one student told the board.
Many students showed up with signs urging the board not to merge the two high schools. The same student who shared concerns about athletics also said they have concerns over bigger class sizes making it more difficult to get the individualized help they may need.
The idea of the "Connected Campus Plan" would give high school students options, such as focusing on different trades or professional areas.
Board member Amanda Deaton said the new plan is a better direction for the county.
"We got sworn in in January and here's October, and, you know, we've just been kicking the can down the road and having a hard time getting any kind of direction and I really, I value this vision," said Deaton.
While there's still no clear plan for what could be in store for the district's middle schools, the board gave approval to continue working on the newly proposed plan.
At the end of Tuesday's meeting, board member Damon Jackey announced his resignation after more than 15 years on the board.
Jackey said part of his reason for resigning is the way his colleagues on the board have acted this last year, even accusing them of making unethical and possibly illegal decisions.
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- Nelson County residents speak out against idea of merging high schools
- Agreement reached regarding legal challenge to Nelson County Schools buildings plan
- Nelson County residents file lawsuit against local school board over consolidation plan
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