PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — A big step forward for education in eastern Kentucky as work is officially underway on a brand-new high school in Paintsville in Johnson County. The $150 million project marks the start of a vision that’s been years in the making.

The site of the new Johnson Central High School in Paintsville is fittingly up on a mountaintop off of North Mayo Trail. Superintendent of Johnson County Schools, Thom Cochran, said the plot of land offers the district room to grow for years to come.

“We feel like this is probably the next 150 years of Johnson County facilities right here on this one campus,” Cochran said.

Recently, the district celebrated the groundbreaking for a new Johnson Central High School and career and technical center. Cochran said the district is outgrowing its cur

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