New Salmon Two Rivers K-8 school opening after years of community effort

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) — The Salmon community celebrated a ribbon cutting for a new Salmon Two Rivers K-8 public school Wednesday, marking the completion of a $28 million project years in the making.

Gov. Brad Little attended the ceremony along with local lawmakers and school officials.

After 20 years and 13 prior attempts to pass a school bond, voters approved a $20 million bond to fund the school in May 2024.

Salmon is the only school district in the state to support a school bond since 2024.

"They tried to pass the bond in 13 times. But what you heard today were all the people that were part of it. They went out and solicited support from all the businesses," Gov. Little said. "R&M Steel, it's an enormous gift that they've given to this school in the steel for the structure, the superstructure.”

The gap to reach the total cost was filled after a massive community fundraising effort – combined with additional state funds from House Bill 338 and House Bill 521 – totaling $8 million to bring the project to completion.

The district provides education for 600 students, with up to 425 spots available at the new school, said Salmon School District 91 Superintendent Jill Patton.

"Thank you, thank you for supporting us. Thank you for the time and effort everybody put in to make this happen," Patton said. "And thank you for the ongoing commitment, because every single time [the patrons] pay their taxes, they are showing support for our schools. We appreciate that.”

The new building features 30 classrooms and a beautiful gymnasium and playground area.

The new school comes after years of discussion over aging school facilities in Salmon and across Idaho.