Lewiston will take a third run at replacing high school

The Lewiston School District will take a third run at a bond issue to replace its 88-year-old high school.

But no election date has been set yet.

“The (school) board acknowledges that work remains to properly frame a proposal that can be presented to voters,” according to a statement on the district’s website.

In May, trustees voted unanimously to pursue a new high school, rather than renovate the old high school.

Built in 1928, Lewiston High School has a variety of problems, as chronicled in an October 2015 Idaho Education News article. Some exterior doors are recessed in alcoves, and are inaccessible to students with disabilities. Classrooms are cramped — and at 600 square feet, they fall well below the 900-square-foot standard in newer high schools. The school’s elevator doesn’t go to the third floor.

However, convincing voters to replace the old school has proven problematic. Two $52 million bond issues have fallen short of the needed two-thirds supermajority.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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