In January of 2018, Harrisonburg City Council voted for a second high school to be built in 2023. Since our group’s objective is to have a second high school (it is our name), people have been wondering why we are still here. Didn’t we get our way? Shouldn’t we disband and go on our merry little ways?
The short answer is no.
ForHHS2 still exists because a second high school has not been built. Though the vote happened in January, land wasn’t formally purchased for this high school until July. An architect still needs to be selected, and the plans and expenditures need to be approved by the City Council. The second high school will cost more than $76 million (the proposed price if the high school was built in 2021). This proposed cost will be highly debated. The incoming City Council members will not only decide the timeline (before, after, or in 2023) but the final cost of the new high school as well.
Two City Council seats are on the November 6th ballot. Harrisonburg residents need to know where City Council candidates stand on the issues of a new high school, the current overcrowding, and the future support of our city’s public schools. To that end, ForHHS2 has asked all five candidates a series of questions about their views on the current overcrowded high school and the possibility of a second high school. We will publish each of their answers starting next week (Sept. 3rd). So stay tuned; this isn’t a done deal. #dealisnotdone #forhhs2 #govote2018