Supervisors, school board split on approach to overcrowding; Madison expansion and a new elementary both on the table

School and county leaders narrowed capacity options to two principal long‑term strategies: a significant renovation and expansion of Madison or construction of a new elementary school on the western side of the county. School staff said Madison is one of the division’s oldest buildings and estimated a major expansion could cost roughly $22 million; staff also noted the school scored poorly on the state condition rubric and could earn points under the capital application process.

One school board member summarized the choice: “Either the school, either a new build, or a significant renovation and expansion of Madison. Either one of them,” and said those are the two options staff will analyze. Members pointed to other needs—bus garage design, gym space at Bowling Green and operational costs for new staff—when weighing the long‑term consequences. A staff member said the SCAP grant response could arrive by August or September and potentially provide $10 million toward a new elementary, but both boards emphasized the importance of building a realistic funding and outreach plan prior to any referendum.

Supervisors asked that staff pull the Madison expansion line items and the full cost-of-new‑school estimates and return with a single comparative packet for the boards to review before the next joint meeting.