A full-size gymnasium is out and a storm shelter is a maybe in the planning for the new Page Middle School. Gloucester County School Board members said they were not willing to sacrifice instructional space for a competitive gym, but agreed to include the adjustments for a storm shelter as an add alternate in the school plan.

The decisions came in the continued discussion on Page planning during the board’s Oct. 9 meeting. County supervisors had asked the school board to consider adding a full-size gymnasium to their plan and to have it reinforced to storm shelter strength. "I am not opposed to having all of it if the county supplies the resources," said school division superintendent Ben Kiser.

Initial plans for the school included a full-size gym, but also a $31 million or $32 million cost estimate. As funding plans were firmed up, the division only had $26 million, which included $8 million in insurance proceeds for the tornado damage at the previous Page Middle School a...