The Christian County School Board welcomed two new student representatives and approved matters concerning the consolidated Christian County High School as well as the creation of new positions at Thursday’s meeting.
Hopkinsville High School Senior Karla Quintanilla and Christian County High School Senior K’Veon Ivory were sworn in as student board representatives.
Quintanilla is a member of the Superintendent Advisory Council, Beta Club, Health Occupation Students of America and is a part of Gateway Academy’s Health Sciences Academy. She also plays soccer and runs her own nail business.
Ivory is a member of the Superintendent Advisory Council, Black Student Union, Health Occupation Students of America, Kentucky Youth Assembly, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a part of Gateway Academy’s Health Sciences Academy. He also plays basketball and serves as an ambassador for Gateway Academy and the Christian County Public School System.
Board members received a consolidated high school construction update, and Tim Geegan from Alliance Corporation shared that they have finished laying brick and are working on the exterior’s finishing touches.
Geegan then shared three change orders concerning the installation of windows in one of the academies. Board members approved the orders, which cost around $9,400. The high school’s construction is still set to be completed by spring 2026.
Further, concerning the high school, board members approved purchasing athletic turf, a band tower and accepted a bid for landscaping.
Changes are also set to come to Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center as board members approved adding another playground to the campus for around $101,000. Assistant Superintendent Jason Wilson says only some of the current playground equipment is usable because the kids can only play on equipment that is under five feet tall and meets certain safety requirements.
Turning toward new job positions, board members approved the creation of a Career and Technical Education Coordinator position at the consolidated high school that will work to ensure CTE programs align with Kentucky Department of Education guidelines, industry standards and school district goals.
Board members then approved establishing a principal position for Bluegrass Alternative High School. Personnel Director Leslie Lancaster says the principal will be responsible for leading all alternative learning programs in the district which are set to be housed in one building staring next school year.
Lastly, School Safety Director Clayton Sumner was granted the ability to hire another school resource officer. Sumner says they currently have eight SROs, and having an extra officer would be vital when others are on vacation or sick leave.