Calhoun County School Board members met Thursday for a special workshop where the big item on the agenda was the consolidation of Blountstown and Altha High Schools.

Most people at the meeting expected the discussion to be about the proposed site of the new school and concerns over the price of the land.

However, right off the top, Superintendent Mary Sue Neves closed the door on the project, saying she thinks this will be best for the students. "I am making a recommendation to not consolidate Blountstown High School and Altha High School," she said.

Neves then presented a different plan, to build a new Blountstown High School on the property of the current facility.

Once it's completed, Blountstown Middle School will move into the current high school facility.

The plan would also relocate the school district administrative offices to the middle school site.

Board members seemed to agree, believing it will be best for all parties.

Board Member Danny Hassig said, “Basically $4.7 million dollars in savings; the argument about having building a new facility when you still got the same ones to maintain. You get the efficiencies of having a Blountstown High School on a campus and Blountstown Middle School on campus."

Board Member Willie Brown said, "The city of Blountstown continues to grow. I guess we've had a major facelift with a lot of projects that are going on in the city and this would be a good opportunity to keep those projects going on."

But, more importantly, the board members believe they can make it happen.

Board Member Grant Williams said, "The one thing I like about it more than anything else is that it's doable."

Board members will formally vote on the new proposal at their next meeting on Friday, May 30th.