School District Pushes Consolidation

By Todd Hatton

Paducah, KY – The McCracken County Schools Local Planning Committee last night approved a draft plan for a consolidated senior high school. The plan will be sent to the state education department today before this evening's public hearing.
Sherman, Carter, and Barnhart architect Mike Smith told the board a single 16 hundred student school would be more cost effective than building two 11 hundred student schools for 88 million dollars. School Superintendent Tim Heller added that a consolidated senior high school would cost between 53 and 54 million dollars.
The Paducah Sun reports a group of Reidland parents opposed to consolidation are concerned by the location of a single high school, particularly if the school is built in the central or western part of the county. The school board has not released details on a location. The group plans to address the committee at tonight's public hearing.