[January 12, 2009]

Merger forces parents to make hard decisions

(Paducah Sun, The (KY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 12--After lugging her laptop to school board meetings to make her case against consolidation, Sue Camilleri decided to pull her two children out of McCracken County Schools.

Nearly two months after the school board approved consolidation, some parents wonder whether they will keep their children enrolled and wait for the new school or opt for classrooms at private or other public school districts.

Or if they'll do as the Camilleri family did.

Camilleri, whose children had attended Lone Oak Elementary and Lone Oak Middle, said the decision to homeschool partially came as a result of the consolidation vote. She also considered that her two children's giftedness would allow them to have a chance at graduating early.

"We were going to wait until the end of the year," Camilleri said. "We decided, why wait?"

Her children, 9 and 11, will use 21st century technology and have smaller classes geared toward their individual interests, both concepts McCracken County educators have touted for the consolidated school. The difference between the Camilleri household and the consolidated school comes down to numbers. The Camilleri children will participate in small classes with other homeschoolers and receive individual instruction.

Private options

Camilleri said other parents she spoke to mentioned they were looking into either private schools or homeschooling. The two largest private systems in Paducah are St. Mary and Community Christian Academy.

St. Mary Schools has not seen an increase in enrollment since the county board's decision. "However, we have seen a steady increase in enrollment over the past five semesters, and we hope to continue this trend," said Pat Cairney, director of the St. Mary system. "We pray that the school board's decision will improve the quality of education for all students in the area."

Community Christian Academy, with its high school campus at 110 Lebanon Church Road, could appeal to parents and students opposed to the consolidated school. Administrator Larry Nichols said he has heard comments from parents considering CCA, but he does not have a specific number.

"We are anticipating growth," Nichols said.

The middle and high school has an enrollment of 130, but the building can hold 400, Nichols said.

Back and forth

McCracken County and Paducah Public schools have an agreement allowing students from the city to attend county schools and vice versa.

Paducah Public Schools Superintendent Randy Greene said the city gains 350 students but also loses the same amount to the county system.

Greene said county students are welcome to attend the city schools, and he does believe a chance exists for Paducah Tilghman to gain students, but he has not heard from any parents specifically asking to transfer their child in because of the consolidation.

Tilghman currently has 850 students, and Greene said the school could handle an additional 250.

"If we had more, then we'd have to add classrooms," Greene said.

The city schools have undergone $2 million in renovations in the past year, and Greene said more renovations are planned as outlined in the facilities plan. The city's plan also calls for building a new middle school.

The proposed $17 million middle school in Forest Hills could open in 2012. It could house 650 students.

McCracken County's new high school on U.S. 60 West likely wouldn't open for three more years. The county also will reconfigure the grades within the existing buildings, moving the middle school students into the former high schools and breaking up the elementary schools into primary and intermediate centers.

Reidland

Most of the opposition to a consolidated school came from parents in Reidland. They contended their students would have to drive 25 or more minutes on Interstate 24 and U.S. 60 in front of Kentucky Oaks Mall.

Parent Eric Ortt, who works at the Kentucky Department of Transportation, said "I have a fear of a child from Reidland running late and driving down Interstate 24 in the rain and hydroplaning."

Ortt's daughter is in the third grade. He said it's closer to drive to Marshall County High School in Draffenville from Reidland.

"I look for there to be a percentage of Reidland kids who won't go to the new McCracken County school," Ortt said.

Leigh Landini Wright can be contacted at 575-8658.

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