Funding totaling $67 million is in escrow to help for the new Junction City High School. Heavy Impact Aid money received by the school district along with state aid are ensuring the local property tax levy will not have to be increased to pay for the project.

The $67 million in escrow was one of the topics touched on by David Wild, the Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, when he spoke to the JC Breakfast Optimist Club on Wednesday. Wild said the money in escrow,” honors the commitment to the taxpayers that there will be no further need beyond that which was voted on ( November 17, 2017 ) from the taxpayers pockets to pay for that bulding.”

Wild was asked about the future of the current Freshman Success Academy building at 200 West 9th street. He told Club members that “the building is being called the Karnes Building,” which it was called following the opening of the Junction City Middle School at 700 Wildcat Lane. “The Boys and Girls Club is in the process of moving into the Karnes Building and the new Superintendent, Dr. Reginald Eggleston, has a vision for using the building as an educational enrichment center with multiple purposes.”

When asked about the future of the current JCHS building, Wild said “the District is currently involved in informal discussions regarding salvaging and repurposing of the green space on which current JCHS facilities are located.”

He went on to tell Club members that “the District website provides opportunity for people to see pictures of what is being done on the “New JCHS ” site by viewing pictures taken every 20 minutes and drone video footage shown in a time lapse video taken every 30 days.” ( www.usd475.org/the-new-JCHS-construction-project/ )