Emerson school expansion plan rejected

The Idaho Falls Planning Commission has rejected an Idaho Falls School District proposal to increase the size of its Emerson Alternative High School from its current 150 students to 200.

Neighbors of the school, at 328 5th Street, don’t like the idea and believe the building cannot adequately handle that number of students.

In a hearing last week, the board agreed and recommended the City Council reject the district’s request for an amended conditional use permit. The planning board suggested the district come back with a “more thorough and enforceable” permit request.

Board member George Swaney took that advice a step further. He suggested the District 91 school board put together a bond issue to finance a “real” alternative high school, not a remodeled elementary school.

The board’s recommendation now goes to the Idaho Falls City Council for action.