Bullitt County redistricting plan, proposal to close Nichols Elementary draws hours of public comment

Dozens of parents, teachers and residents urged the Bullitt County Board of Education on short notice to delay or reconsider a district realignment plan that includes closing Nichols Elementary, saying the proposal was developed without sufficient community input and would divide neighborhoods and increase risky bus travel.

The concern centered on a recommendation from district staff to reassign Nichols students to Roby Elementary as part of a wider boundary realignment intended to balance building capacity across the district. Superintendent Doctor Bacon said the plan was grounded in enrollment and facility data and framed as a way to expand opportunities while stewarding public funds.

The parents and teachers who spoke described Nichols as a “family” school with small class sizes, services for students with disabilities and community functions such as a voting site.

"Before any vote is taken on the closure of Nichols Elementary, I respectfully ask the board to pause and fully consider the unanswered questions and overlooked opportunities," said Shelby Hutchinson, a Nichols alumna and parent. "Please delay this vote until these critical questions can be accurately answered for the sake of our students, our families, and our future."

Several speakers emphasized transportation and safety concerns tied to proposed new bus routes. Ryan DeLong, who said he…