KPVI Staff

The Idaho Falls Board of Trustees is calling for an $84.5 million bond to pay for school improvements that will make our schools safer, improve classroom learning, update aging educational infrastructure and accommodate growing enrollment.

"We are committed to providing our children with the best education, and our aging facilities just aren't equipped to meet today's educational and technological needs," said Superintendent George Boland. "More than half our schools are 50 years old or older and they are aging faster than we can remodel them."

The list of improvements was put together after three years of intensive study and public input. The election is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 17. The bond will pay to:
Rebuild our oldest elementary schools: Ethel Boyes, Edgemont, Longfellow and Dora Erickson
Build a new school on Idaho Falls' south end to accommodate growth
Remodel Theresa Bunker to accommodate special programs
Add classrooms and multipurpose rooms at Sunnyside and Westside
Add a multipurpose room at Fox Hollow Elementary School
Add a multipurpose room, plus new office area at Temple View Elementary School
Install energy efficiency upgrades at Linden Park and A.H. Bush elementary schools; Taylorview and Eagle Rock junior high schools; and Emerson High School
Upgrade science labs and energy systems at Clair E. Gale Junior High School
Add 8 classrooms, including new science labs, at Idaho Falls High School
Renovate and upgrade the science wing at Skyline High School
Update athletic facilities at Ravsten Stadium
Install district-wide lighting upgrades and energy conservation measures such as replacing single pane windows

"We believe this is the time to invest in our children and in our schools," said School Board Chairman David Lent. "By passing a bond now, we can get the best value for our community by taking advantage of low construction costs and the lowest interest rates in 40 years, and we can ensure that our district is poised for the future."

The bond will be repaid over 20 years. A homeowner with a taxable value of $100,000 will pay less than $10 a month for the district-wide improvements, and the district's tax rate will still remain lower than some surrounding districts, including neighboring Bonneville School District.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Clair E. Gale Junior High School, Skyline and Idaho Falls high schools and all our elementary schools, except for Dora Erickson. Voters can also cast absentee ballots beginning Oct. 20 at the district office, 690 John Adams Parkway.

Idaho Falls School District #91 News Release