USD 475 tables action on site location for proposed early childhood center

USD 475 board members will wait until next week to decide on a site for a proposed new early childhood center.

The board met Monday and removed from its agenda a staff recommendation for the board to approve the retention of the former Junction City High School site, at 900 Eisenhower Drive, for the proposed facility. It was removed at the request of board member Dr. Anwar Khoury, who could not attend Monday’s meeting. It will instead be considered at the Nov. 17 meeting.

Former school board president Rina Neal spoke during public comment, supporting the recommendation on behalf of the Junction City chapter of the NAACP.

Neal says location is paramount to the placement of such a facility, noting that students most in need that would benefit are located in close proximity to the former high school site.

The other location under consideration is north of the new high school, but would cost the district about $2.6 million, according to an estimate provided at an October meeting.

The board needs to act before the end of the month as it’s working to secure federal dollars to help offset construction costs.