District officials announced this week that they have acquired a parcel of land off Highway 80, adjacent to the Elk Run subdivision, identified as the site for a replacement Robinson Elementary School. The move follows the destruction of the original Robinson campus by flooding in July 2022, after which Robinson students have been attending classes at the former A.B. Combs Elementary.

Superintendent Kent Campbell and Principal Jamie Fugate confirmed the land purchase to district leadership, signaling a significant milestone in a multi-year recovery effort for the school community. Beyond confirmation of the acquisition, district leaders have not released a construction timetable, budget estimates, or details on permitting and environmental review. No groundbreaking date has been set.

The purchase closes a chapter of uncertainty stemming from the 2022 flood and begins another focused on planning and rebuilding. For families of Robinson students, the new site offers the prospect of a permanent home after years in temporary facilities. However, the lack of a published timeline means parents, teachers and local officials remain without a clear schedule for when children will return to a dedicated Robinson building. The location off Highway 80 places the replacement campus in close proximity to Elk Run, which will raise questions about traffic, drop-off logistics, and neighborhood impacts that the district must address through planning and community engagement.

The decision to acquire land also brings policy and institutional questions into focus. Rebuilding a school after a climate-driven disaster involves not only construction but also assessments of site safety, flood risk, and long-term resilience. Perry County officials and the school district will need to disclose whether the new site was selected after engineering studies and whether the project will incorporate flood mitigation measures. Funding sources and oversight are key issues as well; the community will want clarity on whether state aid, federal disaster recovery grants, insurance proceeds, or local capital funds will finance the replacement and how that could affect tax rates or other district priorities.

The district’s next steps should include publishing a detailed timeline, cost projections, and plans for public input. Transparent communication will be crucial to build community confidence and to ensure the rebuilt Robinson Elementary meets educational needs while addressing safety and resilience. With students already displaced for more than three years, parents and community leaders are likely to press for expedited but thorough planning.

For Perry County residents, the land purchase is a meaningful advance toward restoring a neighborhood school, but it also marks the start of a complex process that will require clear communication, rigorous planning, and active civic engagement to ensure a timely, safe and fiscally responsible rebuild.