The construction of a second high school and renovation of Jefferson High School is expected to cost about $48 million, school officials have said.
So far, $6 million has been obtained from the state Economic Development Grant Committee and the Board of Education is requesting $19 million from the state School Building Authority.
The Jefferson County Commissioners are considering passing impact fees to help the school system with new construction.
The School Board will formally ask the School Building Authority in Charleston, W.Va., on Nov. 18 for $19 million.
Superintendent of Schools R. Steven Nichols told School Board members Tuesday night during their meeting at Shepherdstown Middle School he wanted them to approve putting the bond issue on the ballot to show School Building Authority members that the school system is doing all it can to raise money locally for new school construction.
"This makes it formal," Nichols said.
Although School Board members said they can take the proposed $19 million bond issue off the ballot if some of the other funding sources are not approved, they said they would proceed with a positive attitude.
"We will move forward with great hope," said School Board member Delores Milstead.
Nichols could not say Tuesday night how much property tax bills would increase for county residents if the bond issue is passed.
