Boundary County Schools

This could be the year voters of Boundary County support a new high school.

Then again, maybe not.

But there’s enough that’s different this year to make supporters hopeful that next week’s election will end in their favor.

First of all, the $9 million high school plan was put together by citizens - some retired, some parents - looking for the most cost-effective solution to the district’s building woes.

The grass-roots committee convinced the school district to hire architect Gordon Longwell, who has a proven track record of building solid, no-frills schools for the Lakeland School District in Kootenai County.

The committee also lobbied for a 10-year special plant facilities levy, which costs less in interest payments than the usual bond levy. It only needs 60 percent voter approval, compared with 66 and 2/3s percent required for a bond levy.

Finally, the committee drew up a plan that solves problems district-wide with one new construction project.

If the new high school is built, students attending the junior high would move into the present high school. The sixth graders would move into the junior high, too, freeing up space in the elementary schools.

Junior high students now attend a makeshift school that consists of several portable classrooms and the outdated auditorium and gymnasium from the county’s 1922 high school.

The portable classrooms would be relocated to elementary schools that need them, and one would serve as the alternative school, which now meets in an old feed and grain storefront. Another one would replace the district administrative offices, which are at the junior high.

The remains of the old junior high would be sold.

The levy would cost taxpayers $1.19 million a year for 10 years. The owner of a home with a taxable value of $50,000 after their homeowner’s exemption would pay $124.75 a year.