Potential Changes Loom for Lafayette High School in Lexington

Lexington, KY – The future of Lafayette High School is under consideration, as officials from the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) local planning committee discussed options for a possible renovation or new construction at a meeting on Monday night. During the meeting, Fayette district chief operating officer Myron Thompson confirmed, “We know Lafayette needs a new building. It’s a matter of timing.”

Currently, Lafayette High School, which has served the community since 1939, is operating at 113% capacity. This academically driven institution is known for housing the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) and a pre-engineering program. With enrollment challenges in mind, district officials noted that a clear pathway for improvement and additional space is necessary.

Discussions also touched on potential changes for SCAPA, specifically the magnet school’s future grade levels. Plans for the SCAPA program to relocate to the former Central Office building at 701 East Main St. appear unlikely. Thompson remarked, “It’s not going to work from a feasibility standpoint.”

No formal decisions about the school’s future have been finalized. According to Dia Davidson-Smith, FCPS District Spokesperson, the next step involves the committee presenting their findings and recommendations to the school board.

Lafayette High’s origins can be traced back to the initiation of federal funding through the Works Progress Administration. Although it underwent a substantial renovation in 1998 and stadium upgrades in 2010, the facilities continue to struggle with space due to increasing student enrollment. As of now, Fayette County Public Schools has a total of 41,397 students, with an additional 9,377 new housing units projected to emerge in the next five years, potentially increasing the student population by 2,749.

Other schools within the district also exhibit capacity challenges. Frederick Douglass High School, for instance, is at 89% capacity, while Henry Clay High School is at 91%. Various high schools, including Paul Laurence Dunbar and Tates Creek, are functioning close to their capacity limits.

As discussions move forward, district officials recognize the necessity of strategic planning to relieve congestion at Lafayette. Plans for restructuring could involve relocating SCAPA for high school students, paving the way for a reimagined campus.

In summary, while the future of Lafayette High is uncertain, the ongoing evaluation reflects a commitment to addressing the needs of the students and adapting to the growth of the district.