To be built on the existing Griffith High site, the purpose built state-of-the-art school would cater for up to 1500 students.

A second option would see $10 million distributed between Griffith High School and Wade High School to go towards the redeveloping of existing facilities.

The announcement of the two options was made by Member for Murray and NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli on Monday afternoon.

He says the final decision on the direction of secondary education in the city will ultimately rest with the community.

“The Griffith community has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop a new model of secondary education and I am seeking public comment on two different proposals,” Mr Piccoli said.

An extensive community consultation process is set to occur over the next few weeks, both online and in workshops.

Interviews will be conducted with external stakeholder groups including local business and higher education providers.

The option decided will be announced in April next year, following the community consultation process, with work starting in 2018.

Director of Public Schools NSW Griffith Network David Lamb said he was excited to hear what people thought of the proposal.

“We really want to hear the broad gammon of views,” he said.

“It will be interesting to hear what people’s ideas are and there might be further opportunities presented that we haven’t thought of – it will be an open and transparent process.

“We stand on the precipice of great opportunity and I am really excited for the kids of this town and their families.”

Mr Lamb said both options would result in improving the teaching and learning assets of the city.

“We could keep doing more of the same and keep on getting more of the same,” he said.

“We have about 50 per cent approximately of students not retained.

“We want to respect the tradition of the past while looking forward to the future.”

Mr Piccoli also agreed there are advantages to both of the proposals.

The first option, he said, would result in an expanded curriculum subject choice, higher technological resources, improved study facilities and broader educational opportunities.

The second option would allow the high schools to modernise classroom facilities and promote new ways of working together to improve student outcomes across Griffith.

“Whichever option is adopted, public high school students in Griffith will be the big winner,” Mr Piccoli said.

For further information and to register interest for community consultation, visit http://bit.ly/2fdPg16