Prescott And Jere Whitson Elementary Over 90 Percent Capacity

Two Putnam County elementary schools enter the spring over 90 percent capacity and will be limited in enrollment for next school year after Thursday night’s school board vote.

Prescott Elementary has a capacity number of 95 percent while Jere Whitson Elementary sits at 94 percent. Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said that’s above the average enrollment of 85 percent.

“We get it started well, and then they build,” Pierce said.

Both schools will only allow priority one and priority two enrollment next school year. Priority two students are those students who are zoned for that school. Priority one students live outside the school zone but attended the school last year or are the child of a full-time Putnam County Schools employee.

As registration begins for the new school year, an additional two schools will not hold a kindergarten lottery, Algood and Cornerstone. Both schools will allow priority one, two and three enrollments. Priority three allows for the siblings of currently enrolled students who live outside the district to attend that same school.

The remaining seven elementary schools will hold a kindergarten lottery and allow priority one, two or three enrollments for the new year. No elementary school will hold open enrollment.

“We actually ask them to go ahead and enroll at their zone school to ensure they have a seat, because we can’t always ensure that we’re going to be able to draw a lottery, and there’s no guarantee they’re going to be pulled if we have a lottery,” Pierce said.

Pierce recommended the middle and high schools for open enrollment. Current middle school numbers average 80 percent of capacity while the three high schools are at nearly 90 percent capacity.

“We’re good there with student teacher ratios,” Pierce said.

Kindergarten registration will begin April 4.

In other business, the school board approved payments for the Park View and Upperman construction projects. Upland Design’s Kim Chamberlain told school board members block is currently being laid on both wings at Park View. Footing work is now being completed on the library and cafeteria wing, Chamberlain said.