Post Falls preps for new elementary school

POST FALLS — Post Falls' new elementary school slated to come online next fall is starting to take shape.

The district has proposed attendance boundaries for the school under construction along Greensferry Road north of Poleline.

Meanwhile, Ponderosa Elementary Principal Kathy Baker has been appointed as the principal of the yet-to-be-named school.

"Mrs. Baker is our most senior elementary principal and her experience and skills will be highly beneficial as we prepare to open the new school for students in the fall of 2016," Superintendent Jerry Keane said.

"Kathy has indicated that while she will always be a Ponderosa Panther, she believes it is time for a change. She is motivated to take on the challenge of developing a school from its inception."

Baker added: "It is with mixed emotions that I accept this new position because of the collective family of students, parents and staff we have formed at Ponderosa. Together we have accomplished great things for children. The opportunity to open a new school, however, is an exciting once-in-a-career opportunity."

The $8 million school is being built to relieve overcrowding at nearby Prairie View Elementary and Ponderosa on the east side of the district.

The district has proposed that the attendance boundary for the new school be north of Poleline from Huetter to Idaho, and south of Poleline to Interstate 90, and from Highway 41 to Huetter.

The school board is expected to make a decision on the boundary proposal in March. Comments about the proposal can be sent to ebutler@sd273.com.

"The district's goal is to make the change to attendance boundaries in the least disruptive way possible for student and families," Keane said. "We are also motivated to make sure the changes are logical and well thought out for both the long- and the short-term."

Keane said about 15 certificated staff along with support staff will work at the school, which will open with about 350 students.

"The majority of the students will come from Prairie View and another 50 to 75 from Ponderosa," Keane said. "Most of the staff will be existing staff moving from other district schools."

With the appointment of Baker, the district will now start the process of selecting staff for the school. Teachers interested in working at the new school will need to apply by a date to be determined. Keane said most of the certificated staff will be identified by spring break.

Keane said students will be involved in a naming process for the new school.

• In other business, the school board awarded the bid to construct an auxiliary gym and performing arts auditorium at Post Falls High to Ginno Construction for $3.689 million. Seven bids were submitted. The earlier estimated cost for the projects was $4.5 million. The projects are expected to be finished by the start of school this fall.

Funding to construct the three school projects and others was authorized by residents during a $19.5 million bond levy election last year.