Bracing for coronavirus budget cuts, Boise delays new elementary school, other upgrades
Looming school budget cuts have the Boise School District pausing four construction projects, including the opening of a long-awaited elementary school in Harris Ranch.
Boise planned to open a new elementary school in Southeast Boise in time for the fall of 2022. Instead, it will push back the opening date to fall 2024 after Gov. Brad Little proposed a 5% budget cut for all state agencies in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
That cut would cost the Boise district $7.2 million in state funding, based on the current year’s budget.
Voters approved a new elementary school in one of Boise’s fastest-growing neighborhoods in 2017 as part of a $172.5 million bond. Those bond dollars remain protected, including the $13.8 million budgeted for the new Harris Ranch elementary school.
But Boise Schools had to dip into its general fund to cover rising construction costs on recent projects. With budget cuts on the way, school district spokesperson Dan Hollar said the district can’t rely on extra money in the general fund in the future.
“We are committed to Harris Ranch,” Hollar said. “But gas prices, construction prices, where will they go? We are going to monitor this on a daily, if not hourly, basis just like everybody else.”
A Harris Ranch elementary school would host up to 500 students and help relieve crowding at Riverside Elementary. Riverside has grown from 584 students seven years ago to 720 this year, a 23% increase, according to state enrollment data.
The construction pause also affects renovations planned for Longfellow, Collister and Roosevelt elementary schools.
Boise has overhauled its elementary schools since the 2017 bond passed, opening new buildings for Amity and Whittier elementary schools. The district will also open new buildings at Highlands, Pierce Park and Mountain View elementary schools in the fall.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 5:23 PM.
