District 93 weighs options after bond fails

The Bonneville County School District Board met Wednesday to discuss solutions to overcrowding, after failing to pass its $92 million bond.

District Superintendent Dr. Charles Shackett said even though more than 90 percent of voters acknowledge that schools within the district are overcrowded, 46 percent weren’t willing to pay more taxes for two new buildings.

“Bonneville and Hillcrest High School were built for 1,250, right now we have 1,500 in each one,” said Shackett.

Shackett and the school board discussed the possibility of expanding the existing schools to alleviate overcrowding. Experts would have to survey both high schools to see if expanding hallways and reworking student traffic, to see if the facilities could hold 2,000 to 2,200 students.

Renee Cook is a concerned parent and attends every school board meeting. She said she voted for the bond and still believes new facilities are the best way to go.

“We don’t rank very high in education in the state of Idaho, The least we can do is give those children a building to learn in,” said Cook.

The district has also considered split sessions, year-round school and redistricting to address overcrowding concerns.