Fall is always an exciting time of year as children head back to school but this year, Idaho Falls School District 91 has much to celebrate. New schools – Compass Academy, Dora Erickson Elementary School and Ethel Boyes Elementary School – will open this fall as the district wraps up construction on some of the first projects being paid for by the $53 million bond that patrons approved in 2012.
“We are very excited to finish construction on these buildings, which are truly 21st Century schools,” said Superintendent George Boland. “The projects are on budget and, largely, on schedule, and they will provide our teachers with the kind of space they need to prepare our students for the future.”
Compass Academy opens when school starts in September.
Students at Dora Erickson and Ethel Boyes will begin the school year in their existing schools, and then move into the new buildings in October and November respectively.
The elementary schools were designed with the 21st Century classroom in mind and include many design features that will enhance student learning, as well as the safety and security of students and staff.
The schools include: larger classrooms and open spaces that make it easier for students to work in small groups; infrastructure that supports the influx of technology that is used in today’s classrooms; space for kindergarten, special education and other programs that are now required; and energy efficiencies that will save money over the life of the building.
“Designers looked at the needs of our children as they prepare for the 21st Century, and created a building that will truly meet those needs,” said Aaron Johnson, chief financial officer for Bateman-Hall, the district’s construction manager.
To save money, the district used the same design for all four schools that are being rebuilt, and built the new schools on the existing site, which necessitated a compact two-story design. The design selected has been used successfully in Utah.
The bulk of the construction at the old Clair E. Gale Junior High School was to address longtime heating, cooling and air quality issues, but other renovations were made to accommodate Compass Academy, the district’s new magnet high school.
While construction is wrapping up on these projects, work continues on the two other elementary schools being rebuilt – Edgemont Gardens Elementary School and Longfellow Elementary School. Those schools will be finished in time for the start of school in fall 2014.
In addition, design work has begun on the other projects outlined in the bond, which include upgrades and renovations to Emerson Alternative High School, Theresa Bunker Elementary School, and a total revamp of the science wing at Skyline High School.
The construction projects are not only a boon to education, but also to the local economy. So far, about 45 to 50 companies have been awarded bids, and the bulk of those contractors are eastern Idaho companies including Bateman-Hall, Wheeler Electric, HK, Johnson Brothers and others.
The extensive school improvements were only possible because of the community’s generous support of the bond, which will be repaid over 20 years. Idaho school districts don’t receive any state money to pay for renovations or upgrades so bonds are often the only way to pay for major facility upgrades.
“We really appreciate our patron’s willingness to invest in our schools and our community,” said Board Chairwoman Lisa Burtenshaw. “The world has changed dramatically in the past few decades, and these new schools will help support teachers and instruction as we work to ensure our children graduate with the skills, attributes and knowledge they will need to be successful.”