LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– The original Henry Clay High School, the district’s oldest high school building, will house students again after a board vote on Monday to move the district’s central office out of the 93-year-old building.
The original Henry Clay High is on Main Street and was constructed in 1926.
“In many ways, this structure helped build the foundation of our community,” said Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk, standing in the building’s main entrance that features vaulted plaster ceilings, ornate wooden casings and an antique chandelier. “History happened in these halls as generations of Lexington residents were educated here. It’s only fitting that tomorrow’s students carry that tradition into the future.”
After the current Henry Clay High School opened in 1971, the building at 701 East Main Street was renovated to house the district’s central office. It has not been updated since 1980, and there are plans for a major renovation.
All schools in the district have either been renovated or replaced, or are in the process of being renovated or replaced.
The Fayette County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to authorize the purchase of a building on Russell Cave Road from Lexmark for $10 million. The Lexmark building is on the same street as the Fayette County Public School warehouse and would lend itself to consolidation of additional district support functions.
The purchase won’t be final until approved by the Kentucky Department of Education. School officials say that if the project is approved, the old Henry Clay High School will be available to house an academic program.
