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Boise City Council backs bond for new, updated school buildings

Whittier Elementary has nearly 600 students in school this year in a building designed for only 300. Portable classrooms have been the solution for the overflow for many years, but are not an ideal long term solution. The school would be replaced with a new, larger building that would eliminate the need for portables if the March 14 bond passes.
Whittier Elementary has nearly 600 students in school this year in a building designed for only 300. Portable classrooms have been the solution for the overflow for many years, but are not an ideal long term solution. The school would be replaced with a new, larger building that would eliminate the need for portables if the March 14 bond passes. Darin Oswald doswald@idahostatesman.com

Boise City Council unanimously backed the Boise School District $172.5 million school construction bond Tuesday.

In a resolution, the council said the bond would “reduce overcrowding, update classrooms, address critical repairs, improve safety, invest in every neighborhood school and create a positive legacy.”

Boise joins the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, Boise Regional Realtors and the Idaho Associated General Contractors in endorsing the bond. Voters will decide on March 14 whether to approve the bond which is part of a $217 million school building improvement and maintenance plan for the district over the next decade.

The bond would not increase homeowners’ property tax rate. A two-thirds majority is required for passage.

Boise Schools’ plan involves constructing seven school buildings, including a new elementary in the Harris Ranch area in Southeast Boise, and renovating or expanding 15 buildings. All of the district’s 48 schools would be touched by the plan, school officials say.

This story was originally published February 8, 2017 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Boise City Council backs bond for new, updated school buildings."

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