It's been 53 years in the making and finally on Friday, just after 3 p.m. CST, Mr. Bob Meadows with Capell & Howard, PC, who serves as legal counsel for the Chambers County School District shared an order issued by the Honorable Judge Keith Watkins with Chambers County School Superintendent Casey Chambley and Board members.
Judge Watkins issued rulings on the two matters before him on the building of a new consolidated high school in Valley and on the matter of temporary consolidation of both LaFayette and Valley High Schools.
Chambley spoke with the Chambers Ledger on Monday regarding the historic decision.
"First, and foremost, I want to thank Judge Watkins for putting the time into this decision and understanding what this means for our community. It's been a long 2 1/2 years, and more importantly a long 50-plus years for our county. I am obviously happy with the decision and I hope that Chambers County can be unified as we build a state-of-the-art facility for all the children of Chambers County. Our kids deserve the best, and this gives them that opportunity", said Chambley.
The opportunity to thrive in the classroom is already seeing incredible results, and According to Chambley reading test scores for 2nd and 3rd graders at Eastside Elementary have gone up over 40%. Across the district over 80% of second graders are proficient in reading.
Although Judge Watkins's decision has been rendered, his opinion, which is expected to be an estimated 20 pages supporting that decision has not. Something Chambley is looking forward to reading that opinion. That opinion should be released shortly.
Attached is the two-page order that details the Judges ruling on the matters of building a new consolidated high school in Valley and on the matter of temporary consolidation.
A final opinion with detailed progress reports for the courts will be forthcoming.
As for students at LaFayette High School, they will remain open while building the new consolidated high school in Valley.
