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Pocatello trustees reopen Irving track plan after public concern over soccer, scheduling
Summary
Trustees agreed to gather additional information and hear public speakers after a contentious discussion about converting Irving Middle School’s two‑lane facility, which raised concerns from athletic directors about field loss and lights; bids for a 3‑lane track were opening the following day.
Trustees reopened public discussion about the Irving Middle School track replacement after receiving constituent requests to reconsider the SIP committee’s recommendation. Superintendent Howell told the board that bids for a three‑lane Irving track would open the next day and that the December vote authorized the district to start the bidding process.
Several athletic directors and coaches spoke during public comment, urging the board to weigh practice and competitive needs. "If we were to expand the track, that would render that field unusable," Brandon Jackson, the district athletic director, said, arguing that converting space for track would remove a field the district uses for soccer, marching band and multiple teams, and that evening practice schedules depend on existing lights. Alameda assistant principal and athletic director Molly Johnson told trustees she had sent the board a full schedule and recommended the district consider practice/games rotational solutions and equity across schools.
Board members debated the district policy on reconsidering actions (which requires "significant new information") and whether constituent conversations constituted that standard. Some trustees said they had been under the impression the matter would be reexamined; others said the December vote explicitly authorized bids for the Irving three‑lane design. Several trustees urged staff to compile the public input and technical details and to distribute answers via the clerk before the next meeting.
The board directed staff to accept written questions through the clerk, collect responses and circulate them to trustees, hear up to five minutes per public speaker that evening, and revisit the track decision at the next Tuesday meeting when bid amounts will be available. No final decision was made; the superintendent said bid totals will be brought back as an action item and that the board can use a change order to alter scope if it votes to do so.
