Old LHS as middle school idea to be tabled indefinitely

It was a proposal that overtook discussions at county school board meetings and prompted several more meetings as well. The idea to use the old Lebanon High School as a middle school became a lightning rod as parents and concerned citizens voiced their fears that the old building wasn't up to par and many voiced their preferences for traditional kindergarten-through-eighth schools versus middle schools. Evidently, the school board paid attention.

Wilson County Schools Director Mike Davis said the idea to use the old school is, if not dead, at least on life support.

"The board is going to table that indefinitely," Davis said. "They are going to look at other possible uses for the building."

Davis said school board Chairman Don Weathers called him to say that, in keeping with the feedback he was getting from the public and other board members, the board was "not going to act on this at Monday's board meeting."

Davis noted that part of the problem with the idea included fears that the old LHS was in such bad shape. Another problem is more basic, the concept of having middle schools instead of kindergarten-through-eighth schools. Davis said middle schools are the best way to go, and he thinks they prepare students better for high school.

"Look at the special school district, they have middle schools," he said, adding that the Harvard studies cited at meetings about the middle school plan weren't done by the university. "They were studies done by individual Harvard students and don't carry a lot of weight."

He thinks the middle school debate is the essential question.

"The debate is neighborhood schools versus consolidated schools," Davis said. "It's the board's decision, but I don't see that going forward."

He also noted that since the state no longer certifies kindergarten through eighth grade teachers, it may be difficult to staff the so-called neighborhood schools.

Overall, Davis thinks no one can go wrong by taking the time to make a good decision.

"I think the board is wise to take the time to sort this out," he said.