Superintendent Discusses Plans for Closure of 5/6 Center After This School Year

Building Built For First Graduating Class of Edmonson County High School in 1959-60

The Edmonson County 5/6 Center is now in its final year as such for EC Schools.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Schools is beginning the process for closure of the Edmonson County 5/6 Center at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, as laid out in a released statement from Superintendent of Schools Brian Alexander.

As part of this plan, Kyrock Elementary School and South Edmonson Elementary School is set to house 5th-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year, and 6th-grade students are planned to be moved to the Edmonson County Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year. Sixth grade students would then be shifted to the elementary schools in the 2027-2028 school year once all construction is completed at the new Kyrock Elementary and the renovated South Edmonson Elementary, the statement said.

“In individual meetings with all principals, it was clear that this would be the best for students, and they were all supportive of this plan," said Mr. Alexander. "Our elementary and Middle School administrators have tentative ideas and plans for managing the extra students for this one year. “

He said he hopes the transition plan gets information to parents, students, and teachers in an early time frame.

“Transitions are difficult for this age group, and this plan removes an extra transition for some of these students," Alexander added.

The transition will include plans to distribute the current 5/6 Center staff to Kyrock, South Edmonson and ECMS for the 2026-2027 school year. Sixth grade teachers at the middle school next year will be relocated to Kyrock and South Edmonson for the 2027-2028 school year. “This is a very student-focused transition plan that we are implementing, and we appreciate the professionalism and flexibility of our teachers and staff as we go through this process,” Alexander said.

Additionally, the school system says plans are being made to move the Alternative Learning Center out of Edmonson County High School to the current 5/6 Center location. Classrooms near the gymnasium will be available for this program, providing a more structured environment for the ALC setting while utilizing available space.

Both Kyrock and SEES will have more administrative support as a result of this transition process, according to the statement. The school system says that at the end of the transition process, both elementary schools will house eight total grades with preschool, and this administrative support will have a significant positive impact for both students and teachers.

The statement also said this will allow Edmonson County Schools to grow the next generation of principals and school administrators by adding new opportunities for school administrator experience within Edmonson's district.

“Overall, the closure of the 5/6 Center will be an overall savings for the district in the long run,” Alexander said. “The majority of the current 5/6 Center will be heated and cooled at a minimum as considerations are made for its future. No concrete plans have been made as to the future for the majority of the building, outside the gym and lunchroom area.”

“School administrators and our school Board gave a great deal of thought and planning for a transition that focused on the best outcomes for our students,” Alexander said. “We are excited about these new projects and this is the first step in moving our students to these new and renovated facilities long-term.”

The original building was built in 1959 for the newly consolidated Edmonson County High School. While it has undergone various additions and remodels, much of the structure is original. During its early years, parts of the old Brownsville High School and the Tandie McIntire building were used together. The building then became Edmonson County Middle School in 1981 upon completion of the new ECHS, located on Wildcat Way.

The first year for the 5/6 Center was in 2004.

First graduating class of Edmonson County High School, 1959-60. (Edmonson Voice archives)