USD 475 School Board members have voted to sell the site of the former Junction City High School to the city.
During a school board meeting on Monday, Jason Butler, board member, made a motion to give the land to the city for $1 after agreements, including a memorandum of understanding that would detail the obligations of the city, were made.
“This allows us to say to the city, ‘We are ready to move forward, but we want to make sure that we are all in agreement with what the details of this look like.’ Otherwise I think we are going to find ourselves continually to push down this road of are we making any progress, he said she said. So, this says we are doing it and let’s come up with some fine points to actually make it happen.”
The site would be sold to the city for one-dollar after demolition of the buildings occurred. Anwar Khoury, board member, seconded the motion and there was a unanimous vote in favor from the board members. Butler says within the MOU, there needs to be clarification that what the city produces, the school has access to.
“So for instance, you provide an indoor pool to the city, then we are going to say we want access to that because we gave you this ground. We want dedicated access rather than an hour because there is a workout class after, right?”
The city has plans for a potential sports complex, library, and aquatic center at the location.
There was also recommendation from staff to put a centralized early childhood center at the site. The center would house over 40 classrooms and offer more sessions for children 3 and 4 years old. The remainder of the land would be put into the hands of the city. The recommendation gained approval from board vice president, Jim Schmidt.
“They’re asking for a central location to build a facility on. We have the land that we possess. We’ve already agreed to working with the city and the city wholey. library separate because they’re their own entity. So, we can surely figure out our way forward here to where we can get an early childhood center, we can get a library, we can let the city have what remains and move forward.”
Others on the board argued that the site did not offer enough acres to build the proper facility for the early childhood center. They also were hesitant to move forward without the expected cost figures. Mark Hatcher, board member, agreed that there is potential for everyone.
“I was elected by this community, and I was elected for the district, but I’m here to serve the community as well, and I think it could be a win-win. I don’t think it has to be an either-or. I don’t think it has to be just this or nothing. I think it could be a win-win for everybody if we just put some personal agendas aside and bury the hatchet on some things and just move forward and be a fresh face. I think we could do it.”
The next school board meeting is scheduled for February 17 at 5:30 PM.
