Earlier this week in a presentation with the Cadiz Rotary Club, Trigg County High School Principal Tim Bush and Guidance Counselor Janay Futrell brought attention to some concerns and potential changes needed for the posterity of Thoroughbred Academy.
This same message was delivered to the Trigg County School Board Thursday night — and it brought about strong, thoughtful discussion.
The popular dual-credit system, funded almost entirely by the the Rotary Club, has experienced exponential growth in the last decade for two critical reasons.
First, it challenges high-benchmark, motivated students to participate in accelerated learning.
And second, it’s a coupon for the cost of college — regardless of the student’s current skills, goals and aspirations. From 2000 to 2020, the national average for tuition and fees rose 69%, from $8,000 to nearly $14,000 a year.
Frankly put, it’s a prohibitive cost barrier for many in west Kentucky.
Futrell and Bush doubled down on the fact that the demand for Thoroughbred Academy might be starting to overcome the supply. This year’s academy has 20 juniors and 20 seniors, many of them excelling in ACT and collegiate-like standards.
In the coming years, both officials said Murray State University might not have a steady stream of able, or willing, professors ready to teach general education classes in history, humanities, English, communications, theatre, psychology and astronomy.
This could lead to an eventual pivot involving Hopkinsville Community College stewardship. The two-year institution has already entered into a long-term partnership agreement with MSU involving an ease-of-transfer for general education and other credentials, and theoretically, further connection would open up more avenues for in-person learning at a digestible cost.
Board member Charlene Sheehan, however, said she’s spent time this week fielding questions from some parents — hoping the quality of Thoroughbred Academy’s education doesn’t change.
Futrell said that as of this week, 32 sophomores at TCHS qualify to apply for the Academy “as it is,” and the application remains heavily patterned from the prestigious GSP award.
Bush said whatever the program looks like in the future, it’s not going to impact education and relationships.
In other school board news:
— Superintendent Bill Thorpe said the “Father/Daughter” Dance, held April 22, was beyond successful, and nearly $2,500 was raised for Genesis Express.
— Thorpe and board members also congratulated Blake Childers for being accepted into the Governor’s Scholar for the Arts Program. He’s the first Trigg County student to earn the invitation in more than 25 years.
— Trigg County Schools will be holding its annual retirement reception at 5 PM June 8 in the board office, just prior to the board meeting.
— On May 2, Trigg County High School will be holding a “Signing Day” celebration for students prepared to attend Murray State University for education. Racer officials will be on hand at the Little Theater lobby area, beginning at 9 AM.
