Zoning board OKs nursing school

The Dyer County Board of Zoning Appeals issued a permit Tuesday allowing the construction of a school to train nurse aides.

Lucretia Birmingham of Hornbeak sought permission to build a small school on Hamer Road near Millsfield Road.

The property is located in a Forestry, Agriculture, Residential (FAR) zone and schools are a use permitted on appeal.

The Dyer County Commission changed the county's subdivision regulations to make the school possible. Existing regulations had required a minimum of 5 acres for a school. The new regulations call for a minimum of 2 acres for the first 50 students and an additional acre for each additional 50 students.

Birmingham said she doesn't anticipate having more than 50 students. State regulations require at least one instructor for every 25 students. At this point, she plans to teach only one class at a time, and classes will be held on Saturdays. The educational program lasts 13 weeks and graduates must pass a state exam to become certified nurse aides.

Birmingham said she has already contacted an engineer about designing a 2,500-square-foot building.