Southern Idaho school district discovers bond is $15 million short

A south-central Idaho school district says underestimated costs mean a $37 million construction bond approved by voters last spring is $15 million below what’s needed.

Cassia County School District officials on Tuesday announced the shortfall on projects that include new school construction and improvements across the district.

The district is blaming architect Hal Jensen of Pocatello who supplied cost estimates.

Jensen tells The Times-News he had some elements underestimated and he feels sick about it.

District officials say they’ll have to scale back plans or ask voters to approve more bond money.

Voters approved the $37 million bond in March after rejecting it three previous times.

District spokeswoman Debbie Critchfield says the district is trying to be transparent and figure out what to do.