In 1956, there were approximately
100 county schools scattered throughout Pulaski County, KY. By August 1964,
just 8 years later, the total number of county schools was reduced to a total
of 18. (Do the math – that’s 82 fewer
schools!) Pulaski County had undergone a rapid population growth and a major
public school consolidation program. That was also the year that Pulaski
Elementary School (PES) opened its doors. With the newly opened school (PES), approximately 700 students would be
adsorbed from 15 closed “one-room schools.” Pulaski Elementary did not take the
place of one specific “one-room school” – but because it was more centrally
located, easier to maintain than 15 smaller schools, and funding would ensure
greater student benefits, it made sense to the School Board, under the
direction of Superintendent Charles Hall, to consolidate.
On another historical note, in that same year that PES opened its doors,
it would also be the last year for the “one-room school” throughout Pulaski
County. All of the old “one-room schools” were then auctioned off. As an article in the Commonwealth Journal
July 15, 1964 stated, “The Pulaski County Board of Education has 17 schools to
sell.” The basic PES building structure has not changed much, with the
exception of 3 renovations that took place in 1977, 1988, and 2001. 1977 added 4 new classrooms and a library,
1988 added a gymnasium, and 2001 saw a total renovation, adding 2 classrooms,
an updated office/foyer, and a more modern media center.
The elementary students from the following 15 schools were part of the
1964 PES consolidation: Cabin Hollow, Caney Fork, Cundiff, Garner, McKinney,
Oak Hill, Pisgah, Ringgold, Rush Branch, Saline, Shafter, Short Creek, Slate
Branch, Strawberry, and Vaught. Today, 40 years later, PES is still a
thriving elementary school with approximately 710 eager students, over 100
dedicated staff members, and one of the most modern facilities in the region
with the central goal being student achievement. For more information, visit us in person at 107 W. University Dr,
Somerset, KY, or online at www.pulaskielementary.com .