[RoShamBo]

Don't kid yourself gut. Pikeville Independent will NEVER consolidate with any county school; too sound to do that. Btw, Pikeville's economy is more diversified, and not totally dependent upon the coal industry. Might as well take Pikeville out of your fantasy equation.

Pikeville's economy is very diverse compared to the other major coal producing counties but the economy of Pike County as a whole is still very much tied into coal. Pikeville has established itself as a banking center for Eastern Kentucky but those banks along with many businesses in Pike County owe their existence to coal. Pikeville will be fine, but as the coal industry continues to decline Pike County will feel the effects, Gut was right about that.