A concept putting a new Junction City High School on the west side of the city near the City Middle School received extensive review during a JCHS Steering Committee meeting Thursday evening.

Bill Clark, USD 475 Director of Business Operations, explained they took into account the direction the city will grow in the future, and what the city will look like in 20 years. “We took a look at what land is available out west. We also took a look at traffic ability. Where are the main roads that can help move traffic in such a large volume in an expedient manner?”

Clark said there have also been discussions with KDOt about potentially building a bypass along Taylor Road, roughly the I-70 292 exit area. That would go around the western side of Junction City and tie in to US 77 Highway. “So when you look at all that on a map it kind of paints a picture of what will be the center of the city in 2030, 2035, the road networks that support such.”

Two potential properties have been identified in that area where a high school could possible be built, but the land would have to be acquired. They are west of the middle school on both the south and north sides of K-18 Highway.

Right now the steering committee appears to be split on whether to build a new high school at a new site or at the current JCHS location on North Eisenhower Street. The idea of renovating the current building is not getting as much support.

The steering committee, which will eventually make a recommendation to the USD 475 Board of Education, will continue their series of meetings on December 1.