Committee recommends 2 high school system to JC school board

The Jefferson City Public Schools long-range planning committee made its official recommendation to the school board Monday night, saying two high schools should be in the city’s future.

The board’s recommendation was respectful and agreeable, as they’ve actually known what the recommendation would be since last month when a public meeting was held at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

Proponents of a two high school model seem to think the board has come around to the idea.

About a year and half ago, a ballot initiative for a new mega-high school at 179 and Mission drive went down in flames when voters rejected the idea.

The ultimate test will come when, and if, the board puts a proposal for two high schools on the ballot for voters to decide.

The recommendation is for a refurbishment of the current Jefferson City High School and construction of a new school across from the new St. Mary’s Hospital at a cost of $116 million.

Each school would have 1500 students.

Long-range committee member Dan Ortmeyer said the district is on the course, but it’s going to take some time.

“I think our school district has some challenges in front of it; we’re going to have a new superintendent soon. Sure, I want something to pass but it has to be done in the right time frame and the right manner so that everybody in the community has a buy-in on this,” said Ortmeyer.

The new recommendation would also include a new elementary school on the east side and a new building in Holts Summit.

If voters approve the initiative, it’s projected to cost property owners about $169 per $100,000 of assessed value.

There is no word yet when the board might put an initiative on the ballot for voter approval.