School District 25 won't ask voters to support $33 million Highland bond though measure will remain on ballot

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has announced that it is no longer asking voters to support the $33 million Highland High School bond that will be on the May 21 primary election ballot.

The school district issued a news release on Wednesday stating that the fact Gov. Brad Little has signed House Bill 521 into law means there will be enough incoming state funding to rebuild the fire-damaged high school, making the bond unnecessary.

“Now that HB 521 is law we can add clarity for our community members and say, ‘thank you,’ but we are not asking community members to vote for the bond anymore,” said Deanna Judy, chairperson of the School District 25 Board of Trustees. “The funding provided by HB 521 will fulfill our purpose to rebuild Highland High School.”

The board of trustees had already voted to put the $33 million Highland bond on the May 21 primary election ballot and it’s too late to remove it, so voters will still have the opportunity to vote on the bond on May 21. It will require a supermajority of voter support to pass.

“In the unlikely event the bond passes, the district would forego selling the bonds,” School District 25’s Wednesday news release stated. “The district will also forego spending any money to educate the public about the bond election.”

The district reports that it will receive an expected $43 million from House Bill 521 to fund facilities construction. At last month’s school board work session, district officials talked about providing $31 million to $33 million of those funds to rebuild Highland High School, which was severely damaged in an April 2023 fire.

“This groundbreaking legislation represents a crucial step to rebuild and revitalize Highland’s storied campus, offering a lifeline to the community without resorting to additional taxpayer burden through a bond measure,” the district stated about House Bill 521 in its news release.

The blaze destroyed Highland’s entire D Wing, including the school’s large gym. Authorities said the early morning fire was accidentally caused by malfunctioning electrical equipment. There were no serious injuries.

The school district’s news release stated, “The fire left behind a trail of lost or damaged facilities, including the gymnasium, cafeteria, weight room, band, orchestra and choir rooms. While the district met its goal to return learners and staff home to Highland High School with a traditional schedule for the 2023-2024 school year, many of the school’s classes and extracurricular programs continue to function despite being temporally displaced — with gratitude — to alternate locations.”

The district said the funding provided by House Bill 521 will enable the Highland rebuilding project to start immediately.

“The priority is to restore essential facilities and implement modern amenities to enhance the learning experience at Highland,” the district’s news release stated. “In total, Highland lost approximately 75,000 square feet of space. The project includes: (a) replacing facilities lost or damaged in the April 2023 fire, (b) adding, remodeling and modernizing science classrooms, © replacing and increasing the size of the gymnasium and activity space, (d) constructing an auditorium.”

The district said it is also expecting to receive $20 million to $25 million in insurance funds as a result of the fire and that money will be used to help rebuild Highland.

“The board has framed its work on this issue with the belief that rebuilding Highland High School is not just an investment in educational facilities. It is an investment in the community’s economic vitality,” the district stated in its news release. “Every time a community takes action to modernize its schools’ infrastructure, it builds the capacity to create jobs, attract businesses, and elevate property values, laying the foundation for a prosperous future. The district continues to pledge an unwavering commitment to stretch every taxpayer dollar as far as it will go as we work together to position PCSD 25 for a strong, successful future.”

School District 25 also praised the passage of House Bill 521 and called the legislation “a paradigm shift in educational funding and community support.”

The district stated in its news release, “Championed by state legislators and supported by a coalition of local stakeholders, this legislation exemplifies a commitment to investing in the future of our community’s youth and ensuring access to quality education in a safe, productive, and comprehensive learning environment.”

School District 25 officials hope the rebuilding of Highland will bring the community closer together.

“As the building efforts begin, the board and district encourage all members of the community to rally together in support of this transformative endeavor,” the district stated in its news release. “Every individual has a vital role to play in shaping the future of Highland High School and ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.”