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2023 Bond Election

Bond Hero Image of HHS & CHS Overall Plans (1536 × 550 px)

Bond Facts & Information

PCSD 25 school bond fails to reach supermajority approval

Tonight’s election results have been reported, with the community voting against the approval of the school bond. 55.92 percent voted in favor of the bond while 44.08 voted against the bond. The bond needed a supermajority 66.67 percent voting in favor to pass. While we are disappointed that tonight’s outcome for the school bond proposal did not reach the supermajority threshold for voter approval, we appreciate and respect the democratic process and the collective voice of our community. Although the bond's failure presents challenges, the PCSD 25 Board of Trustees is committed to finding alternative solutions and working diligently to navigate this setback.

We understand the outcome is a reflection of the concerns and priorities of our community. The Board has plans to regroup and reassess those needs and concerns at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 8 at 4:30 p.m. The first priority is to explore viable options to fulfill the District’s obligation to return Highland High School to a fully functioning high school facility as soon as possible. At that time, the Board will also reassess additional facilities projects, including potential improvements to Century High School. The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the best interests of our learners, staff, and community with any future bond proposals.

The community’s feedback, support, and engagement are invaluable to us. We encourage continued dialogue and collaboration to address the District’s most pressing facilities challenges.

As we move forward, the District pledges continued transparency, thorough communication, and an unwavering commitment to meet the evolving needs of our learners and staff. We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who took the time to vote and weigh in on the bond proposal.

More information about plans moving forward and opportunities for public input will be released at a later date.

Why Bond Now?

A fire on April 21 destroyed several key facilities at Highland High School, including the main gym, cafeteria, music classrooms, weight room, and office areas. Authorities ruled the fire accidental and is a covered loss. The PCSD 25 Board of Trustees is asking voters to consider approving a $45 million bond to return Highland High School to a fully functioning high school facility. The bond will also expedite the district’s ongoing Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) 5-year schedule to upgrade the multipurpose (gym) facilities at Century High School to expand capacity and meet the educational and extracurricular needs of the student population.

Review Project Scope

How Will the Bond Impact Me?

3 Factors for Net Zero Tax Impact

ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX IMPACT PER $100,000 OF TAXABLE ASSESSED VALUE

Estimated Annual Tax Impact Table

*FINANCIAL/TAX IMPACT DISCLOSURE: The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue is 3.71% per annum. The total amount estimated to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $42,497,957, consisting of $45,000,000 in principal and $14,057,750 of interest, less $16,559,793 in estimated bond levy equalization payments. The term of the bonds will not exceed fifteen (15) years from the date of issuance. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond is a tax of $37 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. However, the District expects to receive from the State of Idaho school district facilities funds in an amount each year that will exceed the annual payments on the bonds and must first be used to repay the District’s bonds. Consequently, the actual estimated tax impact of the bond is $0 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. As of November 7, 2023, the total existing bonded indebtedness of the District, including interest accrued, is $0.00.

Email communications@sd25.us or call 208.235.3257 to SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION for 10 or more people for further information regarding the bond.

VOTE November 7

Vote In Favor Of or Against. 
The bond requires 66.7 percent supermajority of votes to pass.

Bond Facts Sheet

First page of the PDF file: SD25GeneralObligationBondElection_85X11_Approved

PCSD 25's
Tax Impact

First page of the PDF file: SD25GeneralObligationBondElection_85X11_V2_Rnd4TaxImpact

Highland High School Concept Sketches

PCSD25 Highland HS Gym Addition_V3_Page_1 Overall Plan
PCSD25 Highland HS Gym Addition_V3_Page_2 Main Floor
PCSD25 Highland HS Gym Addition_V3_Page_3 Upper Floor
PCSD25 Highland HS Gym Addition_V3_Page_4 Site Plan

Century High School Concept Sketches

PCSD25 Century HS Gym Addition_V2_Page_1 Overall Plan
PCSD25 Century HS Gym Addition_V2_Page_2 Main Level
PCSD25 Century HS Gym Addition_V2_Page_3 Upper Level

PROPOSED BOND PROJECTS

PROJECT SCOPE

HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL

Renovate and enhance Highland High School, including repairs to damaged facilities, constructing additional classrooms, and expanding and enhancing the gym, activity space, and auditorium.

CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL

Expand and construct additions and improvements to Century High School’s multipurpose (gym) facilities.

 

COST ESTIMATE

$58 Million

$12 Million

ESTIMATED INSURANCE REPLACEMENT SETTLEMENT

$25 Million

n/a
TOTAL BOND REQUEST $45 Million
BOND TERM 15 Years
ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE Insurance replacement funds; Idaho’s School Bond Levy Equalization Program, School Plant Facilities levy funds; General Fund; Sale/transfer of district-owned acreage; public/private partnerships or donations.
ANTICIPATED COMPLETION Fall 2026 Fall 2028

What Will I See on the Ballot?

Registered voters living within the boundaries of the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 are eligible to vote for or against the bond measure.

QUESTION: Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 25, Bannock County, State of Idaho (the “District”), be authorized to issue general obligation school bonds of said District in the principal amount of up to $45,000,000 for the purpose of financing the costs of (i) renovating and enhancing Highland High School, including (a) repairs to damaged facilities, (b) constructing additional classrooms, (c) expanding and enhancing the gym and activity space, (d) expanding and enhancing the auditorium, and (ii) expanding and constructing additions and improvements to the gym facility at Century High School, together with furnishings and equipment necessary to operate said facilities, and all costs and expenses related thereto, such bonds to become due in such installments as may be fixed by the Board, the final installment of such bonds to come due not later than fifteen (15) years from the date of issuance, all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board on September 12, 2023?

The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue is 3.71% per annum. The total amount estimated to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $42,497,957, consisting of $45,000,000 in principal and $14,057,750 of interest, less $16,559,793 in estimated bond levy equalization payments. The term of the bonds will not exceed fifteen (15) years from the date of issuance. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond is a tax of $37 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. However, the District expects to receive from the State of Idaho school district facilities funds in an amount each year that will exceed the annual payments on the bonds and must first be used to repay the District’s bonds. Consequently, the actual estimated tax impact of the bond is $0 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. As of November 7, 2023, the total existing bonded indebtedness of the District, including interest accrued, is $0.00.

Sample Bond Ballot

First page of the PDF file: School District 25 Bond

Sample Zone 3 Bond Ballot

First page of the PDF file: SD25Z3SD25Bond

Sample Zone 4 Bond Ballot

First page of the PDF file: SD25Z4SD25Bond

PCSD 25 Bond History

Bonds historically address long-range facilities planning. Voters last approved a PCSD 25 bond request on March 4, 1997 to build Century High School, which also provided the funding to build a new gym at Pocatello High School and upgrade the school’s HVAC system, bathrooms, and other improvements. The Board refinanced the bond in 2012, which resulted in more than $750,000 in savings to local taxpayers.

More than 80 percent of Idaho school districts rely on voter-approved plant facilities levies and bond funding to finance school construction.

About PCSD 25

Founded in 1887, the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is Idaho's 5th largest school district, serving:

12,000+ Learners

1,700 Staff Members

13 Elementary Schools

4 Middle Schools 

3 High Schools

1 Technical Education & Career Campus

1 Alternate School

1 Early Learning Center

VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Polls open from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. 

Voters must vote at their residential precinct location.

Early Voting 

Walk-in early voting begins Monday, October 16 and ends Friday, November 3. The Bannock County Election Office is adjacent to the Bannock County Courthouse.

What is a bond?

Bonds for school projects are very similar to a mortgage on a home. Issuing debt in bonds is a way that school districts can obtain the resources necessary for large and expensive capital improvements such as new school construction, renovations, and purchasing property for future schools. Just like other borrowers, school districts borrow money and make payments—usually annually. Bonds help supplement state and federal dollars with property taxes. General obligation bonds are authorized by voters through a bond election and require a supermajority to pass (66.67%).

What does a bond pay for?

  • Bonds pay for major capital improvements, like building a new school or renovating/remodeling an old building. PCSD 25’s most recent bond was passed on March 4, 1997 to help fund the construction of Century High School and the new gym at Pocatello High School.

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