The Linden City Board of Education held a work session Thursday night to discuss the future of George P. Austin Junior High School and other things dealing with the school system.

Dr. Timothy Thurman, principal of Linden High School, said he had no problem with closing the school, but that they need to have a plan.

“There is no way to get all of those students on our campus at Linden High School the way it is,” he said. “All of our classrooms are being utilized. We could build onto the school and add three more classrooms to accommodate the new students, but the way it is now, safety becomes a concern.”

Superintendent George Baldwin said they could float a bond for the addition to the high school to accommodate the students.

Board member Tamika Dial said her main concern is losing staff members.

“We will lose a secretary, a janitor and three teachers,” Dial said.

Everyone on the board agreed that they wanted to ensure the quality of education for the students in the Linden school system.

Also discussed during the work session was the Marengo County Technology Center.

The building is currently owned by the city of Linden, and the school system pays the utilities for the building.

William Curry, chairman of the board, said there is a need for the system to acquire all rights to the building from the city.

“I’m thinking toward the future,” he said. “We will be able to expand our technology prep to a full compliment of courses in the coming years, and that building would be necessary for that expansion.”

There will be a regular board meeting Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m., and George P. Austin Junior High will be discussed further.