County can’t let 55-year-old school crumble around students

By James Clark

Nobody likes the thought of shelling out around $6.5 million for a new school in Centertown. But, like it or not, it’s one problem which won’t disappear.

That’s why county commissioners have been wise to take this issue seriously. Members of both the Education Committee and Budget and Finance Committee have supported funding a new school in Centertown and it will be brought before the full Warren County Commission on Aug. 15.

The county officials who have presented opposition to a new school in Centertown have no argument. They don’t claim a new school is not needed.

The rationale for not building a new school is that the county should wait. We should try to squeeze a few more years from a dilapidated school crumbling around the students inside.

I’m all for milking as many miles as possible from county vehicles. I support using county buildings as long as they are serviceable. But we have to keep in mind Centertown School was built in 1949. It’s enjoyed a long and prosperous life.

It’s time to move on, time to build a replacement school that’s so badly needed. It’s a difficult decision to make and some folks will give you 6.5 million reasons why they don’t like the idea.

But no one will tell you a new school in Centertown is an unnecessary expense. No one will accuse county officials of lavish spending.

Warren County government has certain responsibilities it can’t dodge. One of those is providing schools for our children. We have reached that point in Centertown.