In April 1941, the Lexington Rotary Club held a program regarding the merger of the city and county school systems. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, John W. Brooker, presented the arguments for and against consolidating the two systems. Members of both the city and county boards were present.[i]
In 1949, consultants recommended the merger of the city and county schools to meet expanding enrollment, within the existing tax base. However, both systems had different salary schedules, tax rates and fiscal years, which barred serious discussions.
During February 1951, both the city and county school boards approved plans to study the merger between the two systems. The consolidation would address a number of issues facing both systems from increased enrollment from the Baby Boom. However, opposition to the merger soon formed, because of “a perceived difference in quality of programs by a majority of the city school staff.” Both the Ashland and Maxwell Elementary School’s PTA formerly opposed the merger proposal.[ii]
In May 1954, the city school board passed a resolution “Board of Education does not believe that it is proper even through legal, for the five members to give away irrevocably the city’s schools system. A matter of such importance should be decided by voters of Lexington after they have been fully informed.”[iii]
In 1960, both the Lexington and Fayette County Board of Education appointed a joint committee to determine if the merger of the two systems would save money and additional classroom space. The committee for the city schools consisted of Robert Sparks, Superintendent Ridgway, Ruth Wheeler, Mrs. Donald Douglas, Gladney Harville, Dr. Bush Hunter, Ralph Mannes, William K. Morris, Burton Milward and Mrs. Weldon Shouse. The county schools were represented by Emmett Coons, Superintendent Kincheloe, Rev. W. Kenneth Anderson, Mrs. A. H. Dawahare, Frank R. Dean, Homer G. Drew, Burtis Franklin, Robert Green, Mrs. Raymond Lawrence and H. C. Robinson. [iv]
The committee reported:
1. “There would be no reduction of administrative personnel as both systems are understaffed administratively at the present time.”
2. “Any small savings possible in transportation by elimination of transporting county children past a school of the city district would be far more than offset by the additional transportation required by the present city district children.”
3. “Equalization of teacher’s salary as required by law would necessitate an additional annual expenditure of approximately $150,000.”
4. “Consolidation would bring about a substantial annual loss of revenue (between $400,000 and $500,000) through the shifting of the Lexington Independent District from its present assessment level to the Fayette County Ratio.” [v]
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On March 20, 1967, the boards of both the Lexington and Fayette Boards of Education, in joint session, approved the final plan for the consolidation of the two school systems. Both boards signed a merger agreement consolidating both systems, effective until October 15, 1968. The only item pending was the difference in tax rates of both systems. The city school tax was 73.2 cents per $100 assessed value, versus the county school tax rate of 78.8 cents per $100 assessed value. The county voters had approved a new tax rate of 82 cents per $100 assessed value for the upcoming year. However, because of the higher assessed values in the city the increased revenue would exceed the law permitting only a 10 percent increase from the previous year.[vi]
Both board agreed that the Lexington Board of Education would file a declaratory judgment against the Fayette County Board of Education. The court’s approval was necessary to equalize taxes, without requiring a city referendum on the tax increase. After the merger, a new five member, school board would be elected by both the city and county voters. Dr. Guy S. Potts was appointed superintendent, with John W. Ambrose appointed deputy superintendent of the consolidated system.[vii]
On July 1, 1967, the merger was completed between the two school systems, with the Fayette County Board of Education the final legal entry.[viii]
In February 1968, the schools board approved a consolidated budget of $18.3 million for the 1968-69 school year.[ix]
During 1968, Crawford Junior High School was opened, while in 1969, Northern and Southern Elementary Schools were opened. In addition, in 1970, Winburn Junior High School was also opened. These schools met the need for the final wave of baby boomers.
In 1971, Lexington-Fayette County Urban League filed suit against the Fayette County Board of Education for violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 14th Amendment, by not desegregating the elementary and junior high schools. The League stated that the desegregation plan was “detrimental to the education development” of black student. In July 1972, Judge Mac Swinford ruled that the school system was operating in violation of the 14th Amendment. In November 1972, Judge Swinford approved the final plan, but noted that the busing of black students “places a disparate share of the burden of desegregation on black students.” This plan closed Carver, Constitution and Jefferson Davis Elementary Schools and Dunbar Junior High School. Over 4,500 students, roughly one-sixth of total enrollment, were sent to new schools.[x]
Between 1970 to 1995, the enrollment needs were met with the existing school facilities. Only three new elementary schools were built during this period, with Julius Marks (completed in 1976), Millcreek (completed in 1979) and Squires (completed in 1988).
In 1984, Ronald Walton became superintendent for the next ten years (until 1994). In 1990, the school systems converted to the middle school 5-3-4 format, divided by grades 1-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Between 1994 and 2012, the school system had seven superintendents, which were Peter Flynn (1994- 1999), Robin Fankhauser (1999-2002), L. Duane Tennant (2002), T. Kenneth James (2003-2004), Marlene Helm (2004), Stuart Silberman (2004-2011) and Tom Shelton (2011 to present)[1].
By 1995, the expansion of suburbs led the need for additional facilities. In 1997, two new elementary schools (Rosa Parks and Veterans Park) were completed. During 2004, the Edythe J. Hayes Junior High School was opened. Two years later, during 2006, the Athens-Chilesburg Elementary replaced the old Athens School. During 2008, three additional elementary schools (Liberty, Sandersville and William Wells Brown) also opened.
[1] Tennant was the retiring Glasgow Independent Schools Superintendent, who served until a permanent superintend was hired. Flynn was the former superintendent in Davenport (Iowa) Schools. Silberman was the superintendent of Daviess County Public Schools in Owensboro. Shelton was the superintendent of Daviess County Schools in Owensboro.
[i] Lexington Leader, April 24, 1941, page 2, column 8.
[ii] Wright, 199 and Lexington Leader, February 21, 1951, page 1, column 5, February 28, 1951, page 1, columns 1-2 and page 12, columns 3-4.
[iii] Lexington Herald, January 12, 1961, page 1, column 7.
[iv] Lexington Herald, January 12, 1961, page 1, column 7.
[v] Lexington Herald, January 12, 1961, page 1, column 7.
[vi] Lexington Herald, March 21, 1967, page 1, column 5-6.
[vii] Lexington Herald, March 21, 1967, page 1, column 5-6.
[viii] Board Minutes, Fayette County Board of Education, March 20, 1967.
[ix] Lexington Herald, February 20, 1968, page 1, column 1.
[x] Lexington Herald, November 30, 1971, page 1, column 5, June 14, 1972, page 1, column 4, June 18, 1972, page 5, column 3, July 11, 1972, page 1, columns 3-4, July 14, 1972, page 1, columns 5-7, July 31, 1972, page 1, columns 3-7 and November 18, 1972, page 1, columns 5-8.
