Parents share concerns Highland Elementary will close

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Parents are concerned the elementary school that’s been part of their community for decades could be closing.

The Lincoln County School Board is studying alternatives with Highland Elementary. Officials say the 67-year-old building, which saw some work 26 years ago, needs a lot of work.

Built in 1959 and renovated 40 years later, Highland Elementary is one of the smaller schools in Lincoln County.

Despite its condition some parents say their children have thrived there.

“She has taken him under her wing, his scores skyrocketed from there,” said Kendra Meade, whose son is about to graduate from kindergarten. She fears that finality could also mean a new school for next year.

“That Josh would not get to stay with his friends, that he would not have the teachers he’s learned to love and cherish,” Meade said.

Lincoln County school leaders say Highland has septic tank, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and air and other issues. One option is closing the school and consolidating its students.

Students would be be split between Waynesburg, Stanford, and Crab Orchard Elementaries.

“At the end of the day they have kicked the can down the road for many years,” said Curtis Brown, a parent.

Lincoln County’s superintendent sent a letter to the community which said no decision has been made and that a decision needs to be made to benefit as many people in the community as possible.

Brown said his daughter who has special needs is finally doing well at Highland, and a change would be detrimental.

“Putting her in a new school around more kids for me that is a parent’s nightmare,” Brown said.

“Make us operational. If they can start to repair the things to have neglected over the years,” Meade said.

The last few decades have seen three other elementary schools close in Lincoln County.

The next meeting of the Lincoln County School Board, where this issue is expected to be further discussed, is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at central office.