Your comment made it sound like Mercer County could have chosen to consolidate when Harrodsburg had the Johnson-Yeast clubs ... they couldn't. The choice was strictly Harrodsburg's to make. Mercer had no say in the matter, then or now.

 

Mercer did have the option to not accept Harrodsburg once they decided to dissolve the system, but they would have been crazy to not accept the Harrodsburg System. As I understood it, Harrodsburg was in very good shape financially.

Mercer did have the option to not accept Harrodsburg once they decided to dissolve the system

Not true ... under Kentucky law, the county is constitutionally charged with providing a public school system for all of its residents. Mercer had to take over Harrodsburg, whether it wanted to or not.

 

Mercer's only choice was how to structure the new school system.

Mercer board had to vote to accept them - if they voted no, there were many other "things" that could have happened. I heard for one all students could have been forced back to the system where they reside, no exceptions, it could have even gone so far as to a vote to the public. None of this was discussed because it was not going to be an issue, Mercer would accept their system and their money, and now have accepted their super as mercer asst. super - so much for him retiring? This was a "rushed" idea to merge the sports/band/etc. and mix the students in the classes on both campuses, but to be honest, I think it has been VERY successful and I wish all the Titan programs luck this year as merged and mighty.

So is there a Harrodsburg elementary and middle school that was a feeder into the old high school? Will these be merged as well with the Mercer Co. schools?

 

I assume that was/is the case since there was a Superintendant. I couldn't imagine having one for just one school.

 

They are all merged. But the new school being built is a senior high school. The new junior high will be the current high school once the new one is built. I believe that the Harlow which was the elementary for Harrodsburg will remain open for k-3rd grades. It's one of the top elementaries in the state so it would be a shame for it to be no more. All schools at Mercer were overcrowded last year but once the new high school is complete this will take care of those issues. This school will be second to none. It will be a wonderful opportunity for these students because this new school will better prepare them all for the future they have in front of them. I commend the job that the staff from top to bottom has done so far. Nothing short of unbelievable. All schools are Mercer Co under one superintendent.

Not true ... under Kentucky law, the county is constitutionally charged with providing a public school system for all of its residents. Mercer had to take over Harrodsburg, whether it wanted to or not.

 

Mercer's only choice was how to structure the new school system.

 

 

That's pretty much what he is saying I believe. You just explained why they had no choice. So what he is said is true.

Should be interesting to see how the new "Mercer Cty" team fairs against the big schools next year.

 

Playing the teams like Christian Cty, Hopkinsville, BG, CovCath and Highlands is a whole lot different than playing the Lloyds, Newports, West Carters and Estill Ctys.

 

 

Do some research for fun and check out some of the players that have come out of this area in the past 20 years. Alot of people arent aware due to how small Harrodsburg was. Just in the 90's alone they had a ton of D1 players and a few NFL draft picks. There is alot of talent in the area. We have a highly populated county for our size. With the coaching staff they have they will step right up and compete in 5A. They have alot of kids to choose from. I believe they will have even more next year.

Hey, I'm not mad, I could care less.

 

But I call it like it is, and the administration at Mercer Co. did what they did because it gave them a great opportunity at a State Chamionship, period. You said that one of the schools was in a bad financial situation, correct? Well, there is no better way to bring money into a school than by having a championship caliber football team. I understand & I'm OK with that. As long as it is within KHSAA rules, no one really has a gripe. But to say it's fair to the schools in 2A with actual 2A enrollement isn't exactly right.

 

With that being said, I am of the opinion that the KHSAA should not have allowed them to merge. But they did allow it, and I understand that you can't just go changing rules as soon as somebody figures out how to bend them.

 

However, I'd be willing to bet we never see a situation like this in KY again.

 

 

Is that what they said when Mason Co and Maysville merged last? That's the whole problem. It's easy for you and some others to assume this was football driven. That's what drives me CRAZY!!!! They did what was best for the kids. And they are still doing what is best for the kids. There are some wonderful teachers and other staff members from both Mercer and Harrodsburg that have came together and are working theirselves hard to make sure these kids get what they need. Noone in this area including Danville and Boyle Co have made any accusations that this was done for the purpose of football. I've never known Mercer to put athletics ahead of academics ever. My daughter is a student who went to Harrodsburg last year. She was totally against the merge. She is 12 and was scared to death of the unknowns that were facing her with a totally new situation. But, now I've never seen her so happy about school. She woke up crying all night with a migrane the other morning but she wasn't about to stay home and miss school. They are doing some wonderful things out there and it's only going to get better. I'm proud to be a Mercer Co parent! And my daughter is proud to be a Titan!

Originally Posted by westsider

Not true ... under Kentucky law, the county is constitutionally charged with providing a public school system for all of its residents. Mercer had to take over Harrodsburg, whether it wanted to or not.

 

Mercer's only choice was how to structure the new school system.

That's pretty much what he is saying I believe. You just explained why they had no choice. So what he is said is true.

 

Disregard my last comment. I jumped the gun on this one.

Contrary to popular belief the reason for this merger had nothing to do with athletics it is just a bonus.

 

1. Harrodsburg's numbers in the school have dwindled for the last decade with students choosing to either attend Mercer or Burgin Independant as a result less funding is given to a school

 

2. With less funding given Harrodsburg was unable to offer near the education that was available at mercer ie:( more classes offered, better more up to date equipment

 

3. With Harrodsburg's Superintendant retiring Harrodsburg was going to have difficulty paying another plus the issue that mercer was going to be building another school a decision had to be made on whether or not to go ahead and merge so this would not just be dumped in mercer's lap after the new school was built. By going ahead plans could be incorporated for the new school to include the students from harrodsburg into the new school

 

4. There currently is a 4 class system in kentucky so saying mercer is 5A sounds worse than it actually is. In reality under the current system mercer would be a small 3a school. The new system will have 6 classes which will mean that there will less teams in each class. The advantage that they have is not that great and is used more as an excuse rather than just admitting they are a good football team and leaving it at that, have some class and think before posting something echoed from someone, as such a stance loses value when no factual information backs this. What I have posted above is fact and it aimed at educating and ending the echoes of unfairness all over this board about mercer

Small 3A school is exactly right! I feel that if mercer had never merged there record would be the same!

Small 3A school is exactly right! I feel that if mercer had never merged there record would be the same!

Yes, their record would be the same but they have played a weak schedule and they wouldn't be odds on favorite for the 2A title. They would be just another OK 2A team.

 

Mercer would NOT be considered a small 3A team, they would be among the largest.

 

So......if Mercer chose not to accept the Harrodsburg students, where would the students go? And if Mercer chose not to accept them I believe the State would take over the school system and accept them.....so, yeah, they had to accept them.

 

It's not the fact that Mercer has an unfair advantage, western does as well, Western fans are not on here bragging everytime I'm on. To me it's the Mercer people boasting about dominating 2A footbal this year, going 15-0, hijacking other threads that don't concern them,.......,........,......., Mercer is Central KY, not the mountains, west. east, south or north...........

Contrary to popular belief the reason for this merger had nothing to do with athletics it is just a bonus.......

 

 

Come on now, athletics was a reason why. Maybe not the only reason; but I'm sure it was one of the major reasons. It's the only thing that makes sense as to why the "merger" came this year.

Small 3A school is exactly right! I feel that if mercer had never merged there record would be the same!

 

A very large 3A school, and could be a 4A school with the enrollment average of Mercer paired against 4A schools as a whole. Now that's not an opinion. Thoses are facts!!!

I could be mistaken, but I think Mercer Co. as it now exists, has MORE students than Woodford Co. who play 4a ball.

 

Look, I am a Belfry fan. I want that to be clear if somehow it is not. I feel like this: If Mercer wins, then congrats on a great season. Congrats of taking care of business.

 

Just keep in mind. That is context, what is ultimately happening here is the equivalent of Belfry and Pikeville consolidating and staying in class 2a. The numbers may be skewed slightly less than in the situation of Harrodsburg and Mercer, but not much.

 

Mercer should win it all this year. I think they will. I just know that every other team in 2a has extra incentive to play harder than they ever have. Imagine..... Imagine ANY 2a team "acutally beating" Mercer Co.

 

This is going to be a great post-season. I don't blame Mercer at all. I don't buy into the conspiracy theories put forth by some. Mercer Co. is close to Frankfort folks, there was prob some pressure to do what has been done.

 

I just see this whole season as a chance for a 2a team to go on a run, beat a NEARLY 4a team, and win a title that will be talked about for a LONG time.

That's pretty much what he is saying I believe. You just explained why they had no choice. So what he is said is true.

I'm guessing that you're confusing the consolidation of the school system and the schools themselves.

 

Once Harrodsburg closed up shop, Mercer County had no choice but to accept the Harrodsburg students into their system.

 

Mercer's only "choice" was whether or not to keep Harrodsburg's high school open until the new consolidated school is completed.

Come on now, athletics was a reason why. Maybe not the only reason; but I'm sure it was one of the major reasons. It's the only thing that makes sense as to why the "merger" came this year.

 

Right or wrong, fair or not, what Mercer and Hogtown did makes sense if you stop and think about it. I will never believe that being dominent in sports had a thing to do with the merger nor does anyone else that has any intelligence at all but what bothers people is the merger of the athletics prior to the merger of the academics. As I said though, if you think about it, it makes sense. Doing this is a win all the way around for Mercer who has a great shot at a state title with the advantages afforded them and it has got to be a cash cow. Think about the $ you get for being successful in the playoffs and title game payoffs plus they are racking in big gates I'm sure with all the expectations and excitement surrounding the new team who with the combined schools became a instant favorite to be state champs. Mercer it seems to me is winning on the field and at the $gate.