Pocatello trustees hear Highland High rebuild update, focus on parent drop-off and traffic safety

Director Jonathan Stowe told trustees the Highland High School rebuild remains on schedule and on budget and that the project committee toured the site and reviewed drawings. The committee recommended clarifying the parent drop-off so it does not force cars to cross major student walk routes on Fairway and suggested exploring a single crosswalk with flashing beacons to improve pedestrian visibility.

Trustees and committee members discussed alternatives that would route parent traffic into Bench Road rather than wrapping the drop-off to the north side and into staff parking. "The wrap around to the north just causes too much," a committee member said, arguing routing into Bench Road would avoid crosswalk conflicts with students. Stowe said the committee also spoke with school resource officers and parents about safety and will present updated drawings that reflect the preferred circulation pattern.

The committee recommended opening a north exit in the south parking lot to improve outflow and using portions of the green space strategically to create visitor parking while preserving as much site landscaping as practicable. Stowe said some trees would likely be removed for the parking work and that work would be phased to minimize disruption.

Trustees asked about flashing beacon crosswalks and whether the city would fund or allow midblock beacons. Stowe said the district would likely need to pay for equipment unless the city elects to include the crossing in its work; he described push-button and programmable flash options and said staff will continue discussions with city traffic officials.

Architectural details also drew attention. Trustees asked Design West to provide alternate facade and color options to avoid an overly striped appearance where darker stucco meets irrigated landscape, and the committee recommended both south entrances be covered with staggered canopies. Stowe said he will ask Design West for updated renderings and will forward the committee notes to Bateman Hall for pricing; he expected additional bid packages later this year for parking and tennis-court work and said phasing may extend into summer 2027.

The discussion included multiple safety notes from trustees who recalled prior near-misses at student crosswalks and urged the administration to prioritize student circulation and visibility in final plans. The board did not take a formal vote on specific Highland scope changes at this meeting; trustees asked staff to return with updated drawings, cost estimates and a recommended phasing plan prior to contract awards.