Welcome from our Superintendent

The 2011-2012 school year opened with the excitement and celebration for the completion of the Phase 1 addition and renovation at Corbin High School. The changes brought to the school new math and science classrooms with the latest design and technology; new band room with five practice rooms, new large vocal music classroom, new grand entrances to the building for gymnasium, office and auditorium areas; improved parking and outside lighting. What was not completed was total renovations to the original 1970’s building, built to serve students in grades 7-12.

The Board and the Corbin community are to be commended for taking the steps to make the building improvements a reality.

In 1992, a review of the financial condition of Corbin Schools had the “bond” debt on school facilities at $750,000, with over $200,000 being paid out of General Fund! The bonds were for renovations at various schools in the 1980s and the building of Corbin High School in 1975. The final payment on these bonds was to end in 2011 and there was little to no hope that Corbin would have any major facility improvements until these bonds were paid off. Events have occurred during the last few years that have made a difference in school facilities in Corbin.

The Board and community stepped up several years ago and passed an additional nickel tax that is restricted to school construction. Then, because of the Board’s action, the state provided equalization funds that are also restricted to school construction. In addition, the district has received Offer of Assistances from the School Facility Construction Commission [SFCC] that are restricted to state approved building projects. The combination of these three construction funds have provided Corbin with the financial resources to build Corbin Primary School in 2008 and to provide the current building addition and renovations at Corbin High School. This Phase 1 CHS project did not include renovations to the “original” building.

In the spring of 2011 the district was fortunate to receive approval from the state to receive the maximum of $5,000,000 QZAB funds for additional building renovations at Corbin High School. QZAB funds are interest free bond funds and are part of the federal stimulus program. Several qualifications had to be met to receive these funds, including the support of community groups and boosters for Corbin High School to provide in-kind $500,000!!! Thank you community for you support of Corbin High School in MAKING it possible for a NEW [renovated] CHS!!!

Board Approves Corbin High School Phase 2 Renovation Project

In September 2011 the members of the Corbin Board of Education made the decisions to “FULLY RENOVATE CORBIN HIGH SCHOOL”!!! Bids for renovation to the original building were approved, with the total approaching $7,000,000. The renovations in the original building include: new outside walls; new windows; new heating and air conditioning; flooring in classrooms; new ceiling and lighting in classrooms; renovated restrooms; new family science/culinary classrooms; and lockers. WOW! The Corbin community will have a NEW Corbin High School that is projected to be completed in August 2012. Please stop by the school and visit.

Thank you Community and members of the Corbin Board of Education!!!

 

Ed McNeel

Superintendent

Corbin Independent Schools