School’S Closure Will Be Put To Vote

School District patrons will vote Oct. 23 on whether to close Canyon Elementary near Cataldo.

Last week, school trustees voted 4-1 to close the school and bus its 48 students 10 miles east to Pinehurst. The board said declining enrollment and a $1 million repair bill make it too expensive for the district to keep the 1950s-era school open.

The closure is estimated to save the district $44,500 a year and lower class size for students districtwide.

Many Canyon Elementary neighbors are upset with the closure decision and argue the school holds the community between Rose Lake and Cataldo together.

These residents presented trustees with a petition Tuesday night requesting the districtwide vote. The board scheduled the election for Oct. 23.

Idaho law allows patrons to call for an election to override a board’s decision to close a school.

Superintendent Greg Godwin said the election will cost about $400.