The Geary USD 475 Board of Education is currently scheduled on November 5th to recognize the design of the new Junction City High School as substantially complete. It means there would not be a lot of change in the future except for internal work in the building. USD Chief Operations Officer David Wild explained it would give the District and architects the ability to move forward on construction documents and the project could then be turned over to Hutton Construction in April.

One member of the school board Jim Schmidt has some concerns, indicating right now his level of comfort is less than 50%, and he assumed 80-90% would be preferable. Schmidt has noted there are too many corners included in the building. “I believe we need to be smart where we put our money and the ultimate value that it brings to the education of the kids. At the foundation of it all that’s what I’m asking. Where are we going to spend the money in the best way possible to serve the kids of USD 475.” Schmidt argues with less corners on the structure that would leave funding for other projects tied to the new school.

One point is whether redoing the design would cost the District more money and possibly delay the work on the new school. Schmidt will meet with the architects and Wild to discuss his concerns.

The Board of Education received an update on the JCHS project Monday evening.