Update Regarding Fire at Highland High School – 12:30 p.m.
Dear HHS school community—The following details have been confirmed to address the immediate needs of the learners and staff of Highland High School:
- Saturday, April 22: The HHS prom will be held as scheduled from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Idaho State University Pond Student Union Ballroom. We appreciate the staff and administration of Idaho State University and their offer of the space to host this event as scheduled.
- Monday, April 24: School will be canceled for Highland High School.
- Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28: Classes for Highland High School will be held virtually for all grades 9-12. The previously scheduled ISAT testing has been temporarily postponed. More details to follow
- Mid-term grade posting will be temporarily postponed. More details to follow.
At this time, the following details have been confirmed by officials:
- The fire impacted the D-wing. The fire doors operated as intended; therefore, preliminary reports indicate B, Upper B and C wings are not damaged by fire, but there is significant water on the floor surface. We will continue to work with investigators and officials to assess water and smoke damage.
- The power is currently off for the entire facility.
- The Pocatello Police Department is patrolling the site and nobody will be permitted on-site until further notice. We appreciate the community’s efforts to stay away from the area. Please do not fly drones in the area.
- This is an ongoing investigation. District administration and Highland administration will have access to the building as permitted by investigators and other officials working on the case. In-person instruction will resume only when the building has been cleared by officials.
Additional information:
- Safety is our highest priority. Once the building has been determined to be safe, the district will develop a plan for learners and staff to retrieve any personal items.
- Resuming face-to-face learning as soon as possible will continue to be a high priority. Returning to the building will be a decision made based on safety in consultation between PCSD 25 administration, investigators, engineers, and other officials.
- PCSD 25 administration is actively working with its insurance company to replace any personal property.
- PCSD 25 administration is working with state and federal food service programs to discuss the possibility for the distribution of meals moving forward.
- While we appreciate any offers to set-up GoFundMe accounts, we have not currently identified any needs for fundraising. District administration will work to identify any needs and work directly with its District resources, School District 25 Education Foundation and Highland High School Foundation for any extra donation support.
PCSD 25 administration and Highland High School administration are continuing to finalize short-term and long-term plans as details are confirmed from officials working at the scene. Again, we appreciate the outpouring of support and good will that we have received both locally and across the state. We will continue to keep Highland families and community members updated throughout the days and weeks to come with details as they are confirmed.
For the most updated information regarding the fire incident at Highland High School, including a preliminary schedule for the week of April 24-28, please visit: sd25.us/urgent
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- Fire
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- Urgent