This is the final part of our weekly series about the growth of Seymour its effects on the community and surrounding areas. This week focuses on how growth has affected Seymour schools.
Growth in a community can lead to concerns from school officials. The impact on schools can be extensive if many new students enter a school at one time.
The number of students in Seymour schools this year has increased from last year. The high school has 1,051 students, up 100 from a year ago. The middle school, which consists of sixth, seventh and eighth grades, has 860 students, 70 more than last year. The primary school (K-2) has 786 students, up from 740. Only the intermediate school has remained level with 776 students in grades three through five.
The high school administration is in the process of adding an additional seven classrooms and a biology lab to the building.
Principal Greg Clark believes that even more space may be needed to accommodate the amount of students entering the high school. “If you look down Boyd’s Creek, you’ll see that they are building more subdivision,” he said.
Seymour Middle School Principal Faye Nelson said that so far this year she has added two growth positions, which are teachers added to adjust to the increased amount of students.
“We look at schedules and see how we can accommodate students,” said Nelson. Classes are added where they are needed.
Nelson believes the middle school has enough space and she is not too concerned about overcrowding in the future. Boyd’s Creek School is scheduled to open next school year and hold 450 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. “We are all in hopes that the new school will prevent any overcrowding,” she said.
Seymour Intermediate School Principal Dr. Susan Latham said that although the number of students did not increase much from last year, more students are gradually coming into the school. “It seems like when one student moves away, two new students come in,” she said. She too believes that Boyds Creek School will help in the long run.
Seymour Primary School Principal Kathleen Fenton has added a kindergarten class and a first grade class this year and she said that the students are continuing to come in.
“Oh yes, they haven’t stopped yet,” said Fenton. “A lot of parents who move here wait to register their children after Labor Day. A lot of schools in other areas don’t start until after the holiday.”
Fenton tries to prepare the parents. “We have the parents come in before school starts and we talk to them and let them meet the teachers,” said Fenton. “We tell all the parents that it is possible that they won’t have the same teacher after Labor Day.”
Once a teacher has 21 students in a class, a new class must be added. All classes remain 20 students or less at the primary school.
“We’re very lucky that we get to add new teachers,” said Fenton. “I’m thankful that Mr. (Jack) Parton, our School Superintendent, allows us to add teachers.”

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This is the final part of our weekly series about the growth of Seymour its effects on the community and surrounding areas. This week focuses on how growth has affected Seymour schools.
Growth in a community can lead to concerns from school officials. The impact on schools can be extensive if many new students enter a school at one time.
The number of students in Seymour schools this year has increased from last year. The high school has 1,051 students, up 100 from a year ago. The middle school, which consists of sixth, seventh and eighth grades, has 860 students, 70 more than last year. The primary school (K-2) has 786 students, up from 740. Only the intermediate school has remained level with 776 students in grades three through five.
The high school administration is in the process of adding an additional seven classrooms and a biology lab to the building.
Principal Greg Clark believes that even more space may be needed to accommodate the amount of students entering the high school. “If you look down Boyd’s Creek, you’ll see that they are building more subdivision,” he said.
Seymour Middle School Principal Faye Nelson said that so far this year she has added two growth positions, which are teachers added to adjust to the increased amount of students.
“We look at schedules and see how we can accommodate students,” said Nelson. Classes are added where they are needed.
Nelson believes the middle school has enough space and she is not too concerned about overcrowding in the future. Boyd’s Creek School is scheduled to open next school year and hold 450 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. “We are all in hopes that the new school will prevent any overcrowding,” she said.
Seymour Intermediate School Principal Dr. Susan Latham said that although the number of students did not increase much from last year, more students are gradually coming into the school. “It seems like when one student moves away, two new students come in,” she said. She too believes that Boyds Creek School will help in the long run.
Seymour Primary School Principal Kathleen Fenton has added a kindergarten class and a first grade class this year and she said that the students are continuing to come in.
“Oh yes, they haven’t stopped yet,” said Fenton. “A lot of parents who move here wait to register their children after Labor Day. A lot of schools in other areas don’t start until after the holiday.”
Fenton tries to prepare the parents. “We have the parents come in before school starts and we talk to them and let them meet the teachers,” said Fenton. “We tell all the parents that it is possible that they won’t have the same teacher after Labor Day.”
Once a teacher has 21 students in a class, a new class must be added. All classes remain 20 students or less at the primary school.
“We’re very lucky that we get to add new teachers,” said Fenton. “I’m thankful that Mr. (Jack) Parton, our School Superintendent, allows us to add teachers.”

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.