D91 looks into possibility of new high school - East Idaho News
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D91 looks into possibility of new high school

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IDAHO FALLS — The possibility of having a new high school in Idaho Falls School District 91 is becoming more of a reality as the school district takes small steps forward.

“The Board of Trustees at this point is looking at all of the different options,” D91 spokeswoman Margaret Wimborne said.

The board is deciding whether to redesign Idaho Falls and Skyline High Schools, or build a new high school to replace Idaho Falls High School.

An original set of Requests for Qualifications, or RFQs, were issued earlier this year when the board was only considering the possibility of renovating both high schools.

“We have good costs, we have good design concepts for what the redesign looks like. What we don’t have is a team in place to help look at what a new school would look like,” Wimborne says.

Wimborne said after the board reviewed a final report this summer it made sense to look at a redesign of Skyline, but for Idaho Falls High School that may not be the best option. Building a new Idaho Falls High School needed to be taken into consideration.

D91’s final report on redesign proposals and cost estimates

“Because of the cost of the redesign of Idaho Falls High School as well as just some of the issues with that campus … it might make sense to just look at a new building,” Wimborne says.

Recently, new RFQs for contract manager/general contract services, and professional design services were issued by the board to see what the designs and costs would be for a new high school. Once that team is in place, the board can move forward with a decision.

“Two of the big questions are: Where would the new high school be located? What would we do with the current Idaho Falls building?” Wimborne said.

Lisa Burtenshaw, chairwoman of the D91 school board, said several patrons and school teachers have expressed concerns about the outdated infrastructure of both schools.

“They wanted more collaborative spaces, more creative spaces and a greater access to technology,” Burtenshaw said.

No final decisions have been made, but Burtenshaw said they are looking into a complete redesign of Skyline High School.

“There will be additions to that school. There will be some exterior additions, there will be a reconfiguration of the campus. It’s not just an update. Walls will come down in certain areas and rebuilt in other areas,” Burtenshaw said.

As for Idaho Falls High School, she said it seems the community would really like to see school rebuilt and relocated to the heart of Idaho Falls.

“They don’t really want it moved out onto the fringes of the district. They would also like to make sure that we have a good plan for the current I.F. facility. It has sentimental value to this community,” Burtenshaw said.

The school board is relying on a bond to fund these projects. If a bond is run potentially in the fall of 2017, it would take about three years to have the buildings completed.

Idaho Falls High was built in the early 1950s and Skyline in the late 1960s.

The projected cost of a redesign for Idaho Falls High School would be more than $46 million, and for a new complete high school about $71 million. The redesign of Skyline would cost about $40 million, according to district officials.

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