County school district in talks with city schools over out-of-district students

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Superintendent Anthony Orr discusses his initial meetings with the Bardstown Independent Schools District to discuss out-of-district contracts. Far more students leave the county school district to attend city schools than go the other way, and the school board is seeking to reduce that number over time.

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, 11 p.m. — After voting at its last meeting not to approve out-of-district contracts with the Bardstown City Independent School District, the Nelson County Board of Education heard that progress is being made on the issue.

At its working session Thursday evening, Superintendent Anthony Orr told the board that representatives from both districts had their first meeting on Monday to discuss the disparity between the number of students leaving the county school system to go to Bardstown City Schools versus the number going from the city school system to county schools.

“Right now we’re just sketching out some broad concepts for how we want to approach this,” Orr said. “They understand that we have to see the number of out-of-district students in their schools shift back to us.”

Orr said the city school district suggested establishing a cap on the number of students each district accepts from the other.

Board member Larry Pate gestures while making comments at Thursday night’s working session. Board members Diane Breeding and Diane Berry look on.

“It’s a little different than the model I had in mind,” Orr said, “but its one we can definitely work with.”

Orr said he had received emails from students worried if they might be forced to attend a county school next year without approval of out-of-district contracts. He was quick to assure the board that neither district wants that to happen.

“We don’t want to pull kids out of school that way,” he said. The process of reducing the numbers of students leaving the district to attend the city schools would be accomplished gradually by attrition, as in the case when a senior graduates.

Orr said there are many details to be determined, including the actual numbers of students. The discussions have so far been productive and positive, he said.

“We’re all real motivated to get this past us.”

Board chairman Damon Jackey credited Bardstown Superintendent Brent Holsclaw and city school board member Andy Stone for bringing great ideas to their first meeting.

“They understand our position, and we recognize that we don’t to have a negative impact on their district,” Jackey said.

Orr said he and Jackey will meet again with representatives of the city school district on Monday, Feb. 9.

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