[Westside]

Interesting article that is certainly sports related.



"The number of Floyd County students who travel to other counties for education has increased again.

The school district lost more than $1.5 million in funding because of the number of students transferring to other districts this school year, according to documents approved by the Floyd County Board of Education last month.

The report shows Floyd County received 75 students transferring in from other counties this school year, with the majority, 25 and 26, coming from Knott and Pike counties, and there were 454 students living in Floyd County who transferred to other counties — one more student transfer out and 13 fewer transfers in than last year.

Most of the Floyd County students transferring out attend Johnson County Schools (172) and Pike County Schools (125). The report shows that 54 students transferred to Paintsville Independent and 96 transferred to Pikeville Independent.

The financial loss the transfers brought the district this school year is about $56,000 more than last school year. In the 2018-2019 school year, the school district lost 453 students and gained 88, according to the report, leading to a financial loss of $1.46 million.

The financial loss is not quite as high as it was in the 2017-2018 school year, however, when the loss of 467 students and the transfers-in of 83 students left the district at a financial loss of nearly $1.53 million.

That year, the district saw its highest financial loss in terms of student transfers since the 2011-2012 school year.

"Students who live in Floyd County but attend schools elsewhere do so for a number of reasons, and officials have reported that most often, the transfers occur when parents work in other counties and enroll students into schools in that county.

The school district approves non-resident contracts with Paintsville Independent, Pikeville Independent, and the Martin, Magoffin, Knott, Johnson and Pike school districts. These contracts note that the district superintendent has the authority to accept non-resident students on a case-by-case basis.

Since the 2011-2012 school year, the district reported that transfers of students has financially cost the district about $12.9 million. Student transfers to other counties have been above 400 since 2011-2012, with the exception of the 2015-2016 school year, when 359 students transferred out of the district, the report says."

http:// https://www.q95fm.net/2020/02/18...-in-floyd/

[Spud6]

People blame athletes are the ones who are transferring out to greener pastures. That 359 students transferring out isn’t all athletes. Says a lot about our school systems in Floyd county.

[EKUAlum05]

That is a staggering number for a county with the newest high school in EKY within it.

[jetpilot]

That is a staggering number for a county with the newest high school in EKY within it.

New buildings are nice but very far from how districts are measured...look no further than all the beautiful schools in Pike County...

[BlackcatAlum]

A lot factored into this, but at the end of the day most of this is the school systems fault. They’ve had a problem doing what’s right for decades. The new superintendent seems like he’s trying to right the ship, but it’s not going to be easy because the damage has been done.

The list of athletes Floyd County has sent to Paintsville, Johnson Central, and Pikeville over the years is unbelievable.

[Spud6]

A lot factored into this, but at the end of the day most of this is the school systems fault. They’ve had a problem doing what’s right for decades. The new superintendent seems like he’s trying to right the ship, but it’s not going to be easy because the damage has been done.

The list of athletes Floyd County has sent to Paintsville, Johnson Central, and Pikeville over the years is unbelievable.

I’d love to have that list. Floyd County has no one to blame for themselves.

[Cattleman]

Exactly, I hate it when people complain about losing kids. Make your school the best and most attractive for families and their kids and you will not lose them. Go to work.

[RAMDAD50]

Would it serve the tax payers of Kentucky if when a school builds/consolidate a state appointed super sits along side the regular super to make sure things are done in a way that’s best for that school and that community?

[IntheZone]

Wow this was interesting. Would love to see this on other districts in the region as well.

[EKUAlum05]

New buildings are nice but very far from how districts are measured...look no further than all the beautiful schools in Pike County...

No doubt... just it is ironic when usually a brand new school draws kids to come over or stay, and in this case, it is the polar opposite effect.

Definitely a bigger indictment on the state of Floyd County schools than anything. As mentioned, this isn't just an athletics decision either, with that number of students it is very clear this is an EVERYTHING issue.

[TheBear]

We have this problem in West Kentucky too. Right now, Fulton County and Fulton City are in disagreement over the release of funds. City does not want to release "any and all" funding as that many students have left for the County system or neighboring system. Fulton Independent is down to just about 90 students in 9 -12 grades. If the residences of Fulton County, Hickman County and Fulton Independent would come together and consolidate the high schools, and have Elementary/Middle Schools in Hickman, Fulton and Clinton, I believe our area would be bettered served. The high school would then still only have 370 students. As well as, they would still be classified a class 1A in Football, based upon 2017-2018 audit numbers.

[Cat Daddy]

It's crazy to think that back in the 90's and early 2000's, Prestonsburg was pulling in all of the talent within Floyd County and a lot of talent from surrounding counties. With that being said, I have been hearing from some of my friends in Floyd County, about there being a lot of support for Prestonsburg to become an Independent school. If you look at independent schools locally, Paintsville and Pikeville's are thriving both in sports and academically.

[BlackcatAlum]

It's crazy to think that back in the 90's and early 2000's, Prestonsburg was pulling in all of the talent within Floyd County and a lot of talent from surrounding counties. With that being said, I have been hearing from some of my friends in Floyd County, about there being a lot of support for Prestonsburg to become an Independent school. If you look at independent schools locally, Paintsville and Pikeville's are thriving both in sports and academically.

The Prestonsburg mayor and city council have or are looking into it. I don’t know enough to even guess at the pros and cons of doing it.

[Ghostofjoey]

Shut the borders.

[Spud6]

It's crazy to think that back in the 90's and early 2000's, Prestonsburg was pulling in all of the talent within Floyd County and a lot of talent from surrounding counties. With that being said, I have been hearing from some of my friends in Floyd County, about there being a lot of support for Prestonsburg to become an Independent school. If you look at independent schools locally, Paintsville and Pikeville's are thriving both in sports and academically.

They’ve been talking about doing this for years

[Panther Thunder]

Little to zero chance KDE approves a new Independent district. They would just assume all independents merge with their local county district if they could have it.

[Redneck]

Curious to know how many of these transfers are athletes seeing as how everyone thinks Paintsville is the only school that gets transfers.

[Spud6]

Curious to know how many of these transfers are athletes seeing as how everyone thinks Paintsville is the only school that gets transfers.

I’d say people other than Prestonsburg fans would say more are headed to Pikeville.

[Redneck]

I’d say people other than Prestonsburg fans would say more are headed to Pikeville.

Never hear Pikeville’s name brought up. Always Paintsville and “recruiting”

[jetpilot]

^^^lot of people have moved into Pikeville for a lot of reasons.

[Redneck]

^^^lot of people have moved into Pikeville for a lot of reasons.

I’m well aware of that and I’m not accusing Pikeville of anything. I said I would be curious to know how many of those transfers to ALL schools were athletes. I’m not the one who brought Pikeville into this conversation.

[jetpilot]

I’m well aware of that and I’m not accusing Pikeville of anything. I said I would be curious to know how many of those transfers to ALL schools were athletes. I’m not the one who brought Pikeville into this conversation.

I didn't say you were. I just thought everyone realized Floyd players were spread out everywhere. It's not a big deal, lots of reasons for it, and not just happening to Floyd County.

[HCS]

Little to zero chance KDE approves a new Independent district. They would just assume all independents merge with their local county district if they could have it.

True. It's probably been 50 years or more since a new district was formed.

[Redneck]

I didn't say you were. I just thought everyone realized Floyd players were spread out everywhere. It's not a big deal, lots of reasons for it, and not just happening to Floyd County.

I knew/know they were/are spread out everywhere. My point was Paintsville is the only school anyone ever mentions about transfers.

[Hambley]

Been saying it for years. People are asking the wrong question. The question we should be asking is why are students leaving Floyd Co not why are they going to Pikeville or JC. Keep sending us those WR’s and basketball players! Heck it’s part of the talent pipeline now.

[BlackcatAlum]

I knew/know they were/are spread out everywhere. My point was Paintsville is the only school anyone ever mentions about transfers.

I’ll be real with you, Paintsville is the biggest rival to Prestonsburg to me. It sucks to see kids that went to Pburg elementary and/or Adams Middle end up at Paintsville. I don’t blame the parents or Paintsville. It’s Prestonsburg and the Floyd BOE’s problem.

Paintsville has made some good hires that have Prestonsburg ties and that’s ultimately what’s likely attracted these kids there.

Joe Chirico was very popular with players and parents at Pburg when he helped coach here. Landon Slone is from Floyd County and played football at Adams in middle school. The athletic director is a Prestonsburg guy also. So I can see why Paintsville is the logical destination for these families. It’s also 10-15 mins from Pburg.

I’ll support these kids at Pikeville, Johnson Central, and Paintsville that are from Prestonsburg, but it’s not easy to see and sucks when you sit back and imagine what could’ve been.

However, these problems have been going on for decades. It’s not something that’s just started in the last few years.

[that's right]

They may to do the same deal Greenup Co. has. They went to the state and no longer lose money from Greenup kids going to Raceland. I think a kid should get the best education around, and Greenup scores are low enough where I can see parents taking kids elsewhere!

[Diogenes]

It isn’t just athletics. It’s academics too. JC is the reigning 4A state football AND state Governor’s Cup academic champs. Pikeville and Paintsville’s records speak for themselves similarly. It isn’t really even comparable to what goes on in Louisville or Lexington where school opportunities are abundant and private schools exist with multiple quality schools. Opportunities in EKY are much different. Even if the kids don’t play a sport at all, who can blame a parent for trying to get a kid to a school to improve his/her chances at a college acceptance or scholarship?

[Otis Campbell]

Never hear Pikeville’s name brought up. Always Paintsville and “recruiting”

I find it very odd that you use quotations on the word recruiting. LOL

[AnswertheBell]

Exactly, I hate it when people complain about losing kids. Make your school the best and most attractive for families and their kids and you will not lose them. Go to work.

Exactly, go to work and stop blaming others for your short falls.