West Bonner considers school closures

PRIEST RIVER — One week after voters narrowly rejected a $1.13 million levy, West Bonner County School District officials made it clear. They’re facing a financial crisis. 

In a facilities committee meeting Wednesday, members announced their intent to make a pair of recommendations to trustees at a Nov. 20 board meeting: close Priest River Junior High to all users and reduce the district’s footprint by closing one or more additional schools. 

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” said Operations Director Ryan Carruth. “I just don't see how we can operate in the footprint that we have with the funding that we have.” 

The latest levy’s shortfall marked the third time in two years residents have denied supplemental funding to the district. As a result of an existing budget strain, trustees voted unanimously in June to close the junior high for the 2024-25 school year and consolidate eighth through 12th grade at Priest River Lamanna High School. 

Now, the district is preparing for additional cost-saving measures. If trustees approve the facilities committee’s recommendation, the West Bonner will reduce heat in the junior high building to the minimum temperature possible without risking winter damage to pipes that could cause “catastrophic flooding,” according to Carruth. 

While students have vacated the building, the junior high’s gymnasium has continued to be used for fundraising events and by local sports teams. A move to shut down the building would likely displace them. 

“People have to feel this,” Vice Board Chair Ann Yount said of budget limits. “It has to get real before it gets really real.” 

During the meeting, the committee explored closing Idaho Hill Elementary, Priest Lake Elementary or both schools. If either school is closed, students will be consolidated to one of the buildings in Priest River. 

“The footprint of our district is too big,” Carruth said. “If we continue to not make cuts, then we're not going to see savings, and nobody's going to understand the reality.” 

At the same time officials are poised to make school closure decisions, the WBCSD is set to receive a package of state money for building maintenance. Idaho’s House Bill 521 is issuing $1 billion to state districts to repair and replace facilities; West Bonner is set to receive $3.87 million, according to Superintendent Kim Spacek. 

With the incoming funds, Carruth told the committee he recommended focusing on improvements and repairs to HVAC, plumbing, controls and roofing and windows at the high school and Priest River Elementary. 

Even after the HB 521 money is spent, Carruth told attendees the district’s buildings would still be in subpar condition. 

“I'm presiding over facilities that are essentially falling apart, and I have no money to fix them,” Carruth said. 

“I don't see new construction possible with $4 million, right now,” he added. To create a “healthy system” at the middle school building, he estimated it would cost “$8 or 9 million.” 

Attendees and district officials at the Wednesday meeting bemoaned the state’s average daily attendance funding structure and told “no” voters of last week’s levy measure to prepare for the result. 

“We don't have a levy, so we just go with what the state minimum is,” Spacek said. “If you don't like that education, just realize you're getting a state minimum education out of this district. That's how we're funded, and that's what we'll fund.” 

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Idaho ranks among the lowest states in per-pupil public education spending and education spending as a percentage of state taxpayer income. During the meeting, trustee Paul Turco suggested pursuing legal action against the state. 

“I really believe that we have a case against the Department of Education of Idaho,” said Turco. “They're not fulfilling their constitutional obligation.” 

The WBCSD board of trustees will meet next Nov. 20 and decide how to react to the facilities committee's recommendations.