POCATELLO — School District 25 has not yet decided whether or not local voters will again be asked to approve a bond to fund the rebuilding of Highland High School.

The School District 25 Board of Trustees during a meeting at the district’s main office on Pole Line Road Tuesday voted to table making a decision on whether or not to put forward another bond proposal for the purpose of funding the rebuilding of Highland High School, according to a School District 25 news release issued Wednesday.

Part of the reason for postponing the decision is related to House Bill 521, proposed legislation that would “provide the largest state investment in school facilities through three main avenues,” according to the bill’s statement of purpose.

Firstly, the bill would dedicate $125 million in ongoing sales tax revenue to a newly created “School Modernization Facilities Fund.”

The dedication of this money is meant for bonding purposes and would “provide the Legislature with expanded options to cover annual service on the bonds in the event of economic downturn,” the bill says.

Secondly, the bill would increase the funding to the existing School District Facility Fund in two ways. It calls for an increase in sales tax revenue directed to the fund from 2.25 percent to 3.25 percent, which is projected to be $25 million in fiscal year 2025. It also calls for existing lottery dividends to be redirected to the fund, which would be about $50 million in fiscal year 2025.

“This fund will help school districts with paying down school bonds, levies and plant facility levies, with any remaining funds being used at the district level for additional school facility projects,” the bill states.

Lastly, the bill would reduce income taxes from 5.8 percent to 5.695 percent, “allowing Idahoans to have more money to better support local bonds and levies related to school facilities,” the bill states.

“Early reports indicate the promise of this bill could help reduce a bond request or potentially eliminate the need to bond altogether,” said School District 25 board chair Deanna Judy.

During the election this past November, School District 25 asked local voters to approve a $45 million bond that would have funded restorations and improvements for both Highland and Century high schools after an April 21, 2023, fire ravaged much of Highland’s facilities. The bond failed to meet the necessary supermajority of 66.67 percent that was required for it to pass.

“Since the onset of the fire, meticulous planning has been underway to rebuild and restore the affected areas of (Highland High School),” School District 25 said in the news release. “While a fifty-six percent majority of the community was in favor of the November bond proposal, the final vote tally did not meet the nearly insurmountable supermajority threshold.”

If approved, House Bill 521 would allow the school district to potentially bypass the need for bonding or propose a bond at a reduced cost to local taxpayers.

“While early in the stages of the legislative cycle, the Board recognizes that the new state facilities fund is dependent upon passing both the Idaho House and the Idaho Senate,” School District 25 said in a recent news release.

One of the options the district is considering is combining the insurance replacement monies with alternative sources of funding that includes “allocations from the capital improvement program and potential property sales” to upgrade Highland facilities to 6A standards.

Even by the best estimates, the anticipated completion of any proposed scenarios the board wants to enact would be fall 2027. The deadline for submitting resolution language to Bannock County for a bond proposal to appear on the May 21 election ballot is March 22.

Though the board tabled a decision on the bond proposal, it did take additional action Tuesday night to approve the formation of a Highland High School Rebuild and Design Committee that will be tasked with reviewing and discussing various options for the Highland High School rebuild project.

“We are taking the necessary steps to explore various options and make thoughtful decisions that consider both financial prudence and the imperative to uphold educational standards,” Judy said.

In addition to forming a rebuild and design committee for Highland, the board has also pledged to a set of goals that they will focus on while deliberations continue. Those goals include transparency and accountability to the taxpayer community, safeguarding the wellbeing of learners and staff along with more regular communication to inform the public on decisions made during the rebuilding process.

“We appreciate the Board’s painstaking efforts and thoughtful approach to rebuilding Highland,” said Dr. Douglas Howell, School District 25 superintendent. “We cannot overemphasize the resilience and strength of the Highland High School community in overcoming adversity and moving forward towards a brighter future. Rebuilding these essential areas is not only a significant endeavor for the district, but for the community.”