Fate of downtown building unknown as Carter County Schools Central Office moves to Keenburg
Published 5:43 pm Friday, July 21, 2023
- File Photo Carter County School Main Office.
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
Administrative offices for Carter County Schools have moved to Keenburg Elementary School as part of ongoing restructuring and the future of the Central Office building remains unknown.
This past March, the Board of Education voted to move Central Office from Academy Street to the Keenburg campus. As a result, Keenburg’s students will begin the school year at Central and Hunter elementary schools.
“The transition of Carter County Schools’ Central Office was a demonstration of what can be accomplished in a short period of time along with planning, communication and most importantly a team of employees who are willing to go above and beyond their job expectations,” said Superintendent Brandon Carpenter
He added that the transition and benefits of restructuring will benefit not only the school system but “every taxpayer in Carter County.”
Carpenter said the Board of Education will have to decide on the future of the former Central Office building and the Siam Learning Center, which is also moving students and staff to Keenburg.
Board members approved the motion in March to fill a more than $2 million deficit. One person, Chairman Kelly Crain, voted against the plan.
The board also voted to move sixth through eighth grade students at Little Milligan Elementary School to Hampton Elementary School.
Carpenter had said pay raises, insurance and other costs had created a $2.2 million deficit in the district’s budget. The board considered several options but members ultimately chose to repurpose Keenburg Elementary and shuffle other students.
Prior to the move, Carpenter told board members that painting and other maintenance projects were completed at Keenburg.
“It was very well coordinated by Mr. [Steve] Walsh,” Carpenter said.
Walsh is the system’s maintenance supervisor.
Work was completed on schedule, which allowed staff to move into the building from Central Office, Carpenter said.
The phone number remains the same for Central Office staff.
Aug. 4 is the first day of school for the 2023-2024 school year for Carter County students.
