New $146 million Henry Clay High School recommended, plus 2 new elementary schools
A recommendation for a new $146 million Henry Clay High School was made to the Fayette school board Monday night by district staff. The current aging building has been the subject of many environmental complaints in recent years.
Board members did not vote on a new Henry Clay building Monday night and only initial conversations have begun, but district staff this fall will begin some preliminary planning on that project, a new $57 million Rise Stem Academy for Girls and a new $41 million Masterson Station Elementary.
“We’ve had a lot of issues there,”chief operating officer Myron Thompson said about Henry Clay.
A snake and a mouse falling from ceilings at Henry Clay High School caused safety concerns last year. District documents showed that school officials were hit with additional infestation complaints that included more vermin, flying birds, ants and a raccoon.
The school moved to its current Fontaine Road facility in 1970 and underwent a renovation in 2006, its website said.
District officials did not say whether new land might be purchased or if a new school might be built on the current site.
“While we understand and share in the excitement about the construction projects discussed with the board, it is critical for everyone to understand that work of this magnitude involves many moving parts, said district spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall.
“It would be irresponsible for the district to engage in speculation or premature conjecture. When we have factual information, we will share it with our employees, students, families, and community,” she said.
On other projects, several parents have asked the school board to build a new Rise STEM Academy because it is currently housed at the old Linlee Elementary School, which parents say has many deficiencies.
A new elementary school is needed in the Masterson Station area because of tremendous growth in the area, Thompson said.
Some next steps are lining up architects and getting approval from the Kentucky Department of Education.
Board members said they were excited about the possibility of the new schools.
Other major proposed projects for the next three years to bring schools to a modern state were also discussed at Monday’s school board meeting.
Phase Two, which would start work in fall 2024, would include:
▪ Liberty Road Bus Garage Renovation ($11 million)
▪ Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Renovation ($108 million)
▪ New Elementary on Polo Club Boulevard ($41 million)
Phase Three, which would start work in fall 2025, includes:
▪ Beaumont Middle School Renovation ($45 million)
▪ Southern Middle School Renovation ($39 million)
▪ Winburn Middle School Renovation ($41 million)
Another $15 million in maintenance projects at multiple schools is also proposed.
