Health Board Oks Garwood Plan

School officials overcame the first major obstacle to their proposed $10 million bond issue Monday when they won approval from health officials to expand Garwood Elementary School.

At issue was the number of students the school district could put on Garwood school’s septic system, which sits over the Rathdrum Aquifer.

The Panhandle Health District approved a variance from its rules in 1983, when the school district first asked permission to build the school with a septic system.

After making plans for its spring bond levy election, the school district asked for permission to increase the school’s population by another 300 students.

According to the agreement between the school and health officials, the school district can expand the school but cannot build any future schools in areas without sewer service.

The bond issue includes $607,370 for seven new classrooms, an expanded office and enlarged dining and music area at Garwood Elementary.

The biggest portion of the bond is almost $6 million for construction of a junior high school in Spirit Lake, which would be on a sewer system.

Health officials made it clear in a statement that they did not give “blanket approval” of the variance. Some board members expressed concern that other public agencies may come forward to ask for exceptions to health rules.

, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Taxpayers balk at new school bond