Video: West Lowndes Parents Upset with Middle School Construction Plans

Parents from the West Lowndes area say they were not represented when the decision was made to build a new middle school on the campus of West Lowndes Elementary. Board member Jacqueline Gray, who represents West Lowndes, was absent and not able to vote on the move to build the middle school. Gray asked that a special meeting be held before moving forward with construction. Some parents say building the middle school as planned means their children will have an even longer commute to school.

“They would not even consider land in this area and that’s disheartening for the parents in this area because our children would have to be bused longer. We don’t want our children being bused all across the county. We want the same opportunity that Caledonia & New Hope have and that’s all we’re asking for,” says Parent Barbara Thomas. The Board did agree to hold a special meeting this Friday to discuss whether or not they’ll move forward with construction plans.

Other project updates were also given at tonight’s Lowndes County School board meeting. Architect Joey Henderson reported that appraisals are being reviewed for the top two properties in consideration for constructing a new career center. The proposed career tech center is Phase Two in the district’s expansion plan. The board approved also voted to hold off on a vote concerning the Lowndes County Schools Random Drug Testing Policy.