Board of Education to consider other facility planning options

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 — The Nelson County Board of Education Tuesday voted to rescind the bids for the Thomas Nelson Community Campus.

The decision means the board will continue examining the long-term organization of the district’s facilities and how those facilities impact student learning.

“While recent board meetings have been emotionally charged at times, it has focused the conversation on what is best for all students throughout the county. Community engagement in the future of public education will be vital to long-term community growth and well-being. Each of us play an important role in shaping and improving the future of public education and public service,” Wes Bradley, superintendent of Nelson County Schools

The original community campus plan, developed by the Local Planning Committee, and approved by the board in December of 2021, would have established two community campuses, focused on uniting students in grades 6-12 in order to increase middle-school academic opportunities and more efficiently utilize district resources. 

Bradley said the schools’ best work is still ahead and the focus should remain on what is best for students.

“The ongoing conversations around facilities, while important to the long-term success of our students, will not distract us from our immediate focus on student success and ensuring students can continue to live, work and grow in Nelson County,” he said.

The Board previously approved the Thomas Nelson project and accepted the bids at its Jan. 17 meeting. Learn more about Nelson County’s nickel tax and how school capital projects are funded on our Facility Financing page. 

The meeting was live-streamed and can be viewed on the Nelson County Schools’ Youtube channel. Tuesday’s meeting included over two hours of public comments.