Board authorizes application for state Public School Facilities Cooperative Fund to advance elementary project

The Middleton School District Board of Trustees voted to submit an application to Idaho’s Public School Facilities Cooperative Fund after district staff and the district’s architect presented an analysis of existing unused facilities and cost options for addressing elementary school capacity.

The board authorized staff to move forward with the application process, which staff said is due in October and will be reviewed by the state; staff told trustees the state review panel will make decisions in mid‑October. If approved by the state, the district would still need local voter approval to issue bonds for construction; if a local bond fails after state approval, the transcript indicates the state funds could be used by the district in combination with local modernization funds.

District staff focused on the old red brick building on district property as an existing permanent facility that could be rehabilitated. The architect presented a site and building assessment that identified major upgrades needed to return the building to classroom use, including asbestos abatement, roof replacement, mechanical and HVAC upgrades, and fire‑alarm and sprinkler systems that do not meet current code. The architects estimated extensive work would be required to bring the old facility into compliance and suggested the state might favor using funds to build new space rather than full renovation.

As an alternative, staff proposed applying for state funds and using those funds together with the district’s $8 million modernization allocation to build roughly one half of a new elementary school (presented as a roughly 40,000‑square‑foot design with about 17 classrooms, combined gym/cafeteria and administrative space). The proposal presented to the board emphasizes that building new could be a more efficient use of state funds than renovating the older facility while still leveraging the existing district land and modernization dollars.

Architects who spoke to the board said they have supported other districts in successful applications and that the state is scrutinizing applications to ensure funds target safety, security and long‑term value. Staff reviewed examples of other Idaho districts that received awards in earlier rounds and said those districts used state funds alongside local modernization dollars to build new facilities. Board members asked about likely award amounts and processes; the architect said past awards have varied and that some districts have received multi‑million dollar awards that matched their requests.

Staff told the board the application package will include facility condition assessments, cost estimates for renovating existing buildings, and comparative cost estimates for constructing new space. The board approved submitting the application and directed staff to finalize the required materials for the October submission window.

Next steps for the district include completing the formal application, submitting required engineering and architectural cost estimates, and, if approved by the state, returning to voters with a bond question to secure additional local funds for construction. If a local bond election fails after state approval, the district indicated state funds could still be used in combination with local modernization funding to complete a portion of a new elementary school.