Pocatello District board approves preliminary designs and budget estimates for Highland High School upgrade

The Pocatello District board at a special meeting approved a motion to authorize preliminary program budget estimates and conceptual schematic designs for an upgrade to Highland High School, clearing the way for detailed engineering and preparation of bid documents.

Board members and staff said the design committee recommended the schematic floor plans and the tentative budget included a set of alternates to be considered in bidding. The architect and staff estimated design concepts would be completed and moved into construction documents in about five to six months, after which the project would be released for bid.

Staff noted several possible bid alternates, including a proposed mezzanine above the commons area. The board directed staff to return at the next meeting with more detailed cost figures and a list of alternates for formal consideration.

Chair said, "this looks we're headed in the right direction," characterizing the committee recommendation as a general approval to proceed rather than final design sign-off. The board's vote authorized staff and the architect to continue with the final draft of schematic plans and to develop construction documents and bid materials.

The board did not adopt final budget totals at the meeting; staff said more detailed numbers and any bid alternates would be presented at the next board meeting for further review and potential action.