Parents and teachers urge Clay County School Board to restore Middleburg High art program after teacher reassignment

Parents, a teacher and union representatives told the Clay County School Board on June 26 that Middleburg High School lost its art program after the reassignment of a long‑time instructor and asked the district to reconsider the cut.

Adam Goodwin, who said he was Middleburg High School’s art teacher for 23 years, told the board: “Since I was cut as the teacher at Middleburg High School for the art program, Middleburg High School no longer has an art program. Middleburg High School is the only school in the county that no longer has an art program.” He said the school serves about 1,800 students and described yearly class enrollments of roughly 150–192 students over his tenure.

Why it matters: speakers said removing the course narrows curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students, affects seniors who planned a four‑year art sequence, and can alter college or portfolio pathways for art students.

Donna McCool, who said she was speaking on behalf of her daughter, described art as an outlet for a “very shy” student and asked the board to “reconsider the program at Middleburg.” Vicky Kidwell, representing the Clay County educators’ organization, told the board that employees voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the union and urged the district to “take a step back, reassess, and make a course correction” where cuts harm student programs.

Superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) responded directly to the speakers: “I heard what you said… I’ll reassess, you know, based on what was said, here today.” The superintendent did not announce a formal policy change or a timetable for a decision during the meeting.

Board member comments reiterated concern. School board member Miss Clark said the district would follow up with the school principal and superintendent to determine what could be done: “So I know superintendent… you’ll work with principal and see what can be done there because it does affect students.”

Discussion vs. action: the public comments and board remarks were discussion and a verbal commitment to reassess; no motion, amendment or vote to restore the program was recorded that evening.

Clarifying details from speakers: Goodwin said roughly 3,500 students had taken his classes since 2002; he said some students’ artwork had placed in national contests and been displayed in the state capitol and the district office. McCool said her daughter planned a four‑year art program and now faces an altered course schedule. Kidwell cited examples of employees affected by RIF (reduction in force) decisions and urged the board to weigh individual impacts alongside district budgetary constraints.

What’s next: the superintendent committed to reassessing the situation; the board did not schedule a specific follow‑up or vote on restoring the course at the June 26 meeting.