With the current student reciprocal agreement between Corbin and Knox County School expiring at the end of the school year, the Corbin School Board is asking the Kentucky Education Commissioner to intervene.
At Thursday night’s meeting, the board voted unanimously to appeal the Knox County School Board’s decision to reject a proposed student reciprocal agreement for the 2011-12 to the education commissioner
Corbin Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel said barring a new agreement between the school districts, students currently attending school in the other district
"The Corbin board approved a new agreement at its last meeting and sent it to the Knox County School Board," McNeel said. "It was rejected by the Knox County School Board. We are appealing that to the education commissioner."
McNeel added that to his knowledge, the agreement with Corbin is the only one the Knox County Board of Education has not signed.
When asked about involving a mediator to resolve differences, McNeel noted the two sides engaged in mediation for the reciprocal agreement for the 2010-11 school year, but it was unsuccessful.
"They (Knox County) were willing to give anything," McNeel said.
Corbin Board of Education Attorney Bob Hammons said he will prepare and file a written brief and Knox County officials will have the opportunity to do the same. The commissioner will then set a date to hear oral arguments.
If either side disagrees with the commissioner’s decision, it may be appealed to the Kentucky Board of Education and then on to Franklin County Circuit Court.
McNeel noted that Corbin’s appeal of Knox County’s initial decision not to renew the reciprocal agreement is making its way through Franklin Circuit Court.
"The attorneys are taking briefs on the case," McNeel said.
