The Nye County school board took some time at its March 13 meeting to discuss options for the placement of a proposed second high school in Pahrump.

The board approved building a new school, capable of housing 1,200 students last December. The district owns two potential sites at where it could be located.

One is an 80-acre lot on Gamebird Road near Our Lady of the Valley Church; the other is a 65-acre lot located on South Hafen Ranch Road.

The Hafen property, according to Director of Maintenance and Operations Bob Whimpey, has water and sewage connection available and good drainage.

In addition, building the school at that site would allow the district to save money on transportation since its proximity to Pahrump Valley High School would decrease the number of students eligible for transport. However, a minimum of 12 acre feet of water would need to be purchased for the school, and landscaping materials would need to be shipped in from off site, adding to costs.

A school at that property would also require a full-service kitchen.

Vice President J. "Doc" McNealy expressed concern about high school students being released from school at the same time as elementary school students.

Superintendent Rob Roberts said the problem could be solved by staggering the elementary school drop-off and pick-up times to not coincide with high school schedule.

The Gamebird property does not have easy access to sewer or water lines.

Although the option to extend a Utilities, Inc. water line is available, that could get pricey. Whimpey did not use exact numbers as more information is needed to get an accurate projection of future costs.

In addition, further construction costs would be incurred since soils will have to be imported.

The site, however, has phone and power available and the location would also decrease transportation costs.