USD 475 Board of Education members continued their discussion Monday evening on the possibility of a new Junction City High School.

During a review of concepts, drawings and cost estimates Board member Tom Brungardt noted the idea of a natatorium was something he had seen for the first time. That was a suggestion from a recent JCHS Steering Committee meeting.

Board member Carolyn Gaston said 11 years ago the academy format was implemented at the high school. She feels it may be time to review that in conjunction with a high school project. “The information we’ve been receiving and the building formats are all constructed in that view. I want them to look at a 9-12 building that would house the freshman academy as well, but not the academies….just specific 9-12 education and come back and give us a cost on that.”

The idea is to find out if it could be done less expensively than with an academy structure. “My concern is that with the academy structure that we have today is it sustainable. And are we getting our money’s worth for our students? Is the turnout, or the graduation academics, are they being met to our satisfaction.”

No final decisions have been made on the high school project. There will be many more meetings and discussions on the possibility of either a new or renovated facility.