Exciting Updates for Schools in Bowling Green!

Exciting Updates for Schools in Bowling Green!

Hey there, Bowling Green! There’s a lot happening in our city’s schools, and it sounds like the future is looking bright for our kids! The Bowling Green Independent School District (BGISD) has just laid down a game plan for our educational facilities, and you’ll want to hear about it!

What’s on the Agenda?

As reported, the district’s roadmap for the next four to five years focuses on three primary schools: Bowling Green Junior High School, Potter Gray Elementary, and W.R. McNeill Elementary. Last Tuesday, the BGISD Board of Education approved a public hearing set for February 10 at 6 p.m. This is where the community can learn more and share their thoughts on the newly proposed District Facility Plan.

But what exactly does this plan entail? For starters, Bowling Green Junior High School is in need of extra space. With our schools getting busier day by day, students require more classroom space and even an additional cafeteria. Superintendent Gary Fields emphasized how essential these upgrades are because the current structure has seen better days, explaining, “That building started construction back in early ’99,” highlighting that many of its systems are showing their age. The plan includes improvements to the building’s roofing and HVAC systems.

Time for Some TLC

Moving on, it’s time we face the music when it comes to Potter Gray and W.R. McNeill. These schools have been serving our community for over 60 years and are overdue for a review. Fields mentioned, “It’s really an opportunity to look at Potter Gray and McNeill and the process of: How do we replace those buildings in a way that creates a better learning environment?” Sounds like it’s time for a fresh start and what a difference that could make for our kids’ learning experience!

The draft also lays out plans for smaller but crucial projects, including boiler and roof replacements across various schools in the district. Keeping our facilities in tip-top shape is vital for providing the best learning conditions.

The Voices of the Community

This draft has been shaped not just by administrators but by a mix of parents, teachers, and community members too! The BGISD Local Planning Committee has held four meetings since September along with two public forums to discuss the future. William King, who chairs the committee, is eager to gather community perspectives. “It’s a chance for a group of people who represent staff, parents, and community members to say, ‘Hey, this is what we think you should consider going forward,’” Fields noted. How great is it when everyone gets to have a say in our children’s education?

Of course, funding is essential. Fields pointed out the need to consider money and the district’s bonding capacity. The draft will soon be sent off to the Kentucky Department of Education for initial review and comments, which will take around four weeks. We can expect some feedback in January, leading us to the final public forum.

Mark Your Calendars!

In other news, the BGISD also completed its first reading of the 2025-26 school calendar. Are you ready for some fun dates? Mark August 13 as the first day back to school! Other important dates include fall break from October 6-10, winter break from December 22-26, and again from December 29 to January 2. Don’t forget about spring break scheduled for April 6-10, wrapping things up with the last day of school on May 21!

And if that wasn’t enough, the board is also expanding its contract with software provider PowerSchool. Going digital for personnel and payroll data means less paperwork and a smoother process in hiring new staff. This will certainly make things easier, right?

So, Bowling Green, there’s a lot to look forward to in our schools. Feel free to check out the proposed plans on the school system’s website after the public hearing in February! Let’s make our voices heard and support our schools. Together we can help shape our children’s future, brick by brick!