Education

Stewart County, Tenn., Schools transportation director Eric Watkins says the county's schools are closed through Friday because a large number of students are out sick. Watkins says 12 percent of students district-wide have reported illness this week, ranging from flu to stomach virus and strep throat.

22 school districts in western and south central Kentucky are finalists for the next round of federal education grant funds through the Race to the Top-District competition.  

Foundation work is underway on the new Murray State Paducah Campus located off I-24 at Exit 7. A&K Construction won an $8 million contract to start work on the project. The new building replaces the current MSU Paducah campus in the Crisp Center.  Paducah, McCracken County, and Murray State University will all jointly pay for the project. Officials expect to offer classes at the new the campus by January 2014.

A battle may be brewing over the future of Kentucky higher education -- should the state add another state university, this one serving Appalachia?

The leader of the Kentucky House thinks so -- and he said he won't support any extra funding for higher education until the University of Pikeville joins the state university system.

Two Christian County elementary schools are about to turn 50, the age that marks the time for replacing facilities. Christian County Public School facilities director Dan Damron says the district adheres to a 50-year policy for its buildings. The state mandates a school’s structure must last at least 30 years, but after that time the district can make no major renovations. They can only maintain the current structure. Damron says it is often cheaper to replace a school than to maintain it.