The state of Idaho has awarded the Boundary County district $13.2 million to replace the aging Valley View Elementary School in Bonners Ferry.
The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that the money comes from legislation that allocated $50 million for rural school facility upgrades statewide.
A panel of state officials and contractors unanimously approved Boundary County’s 310-page application and awarded it more than 25% of the total available funds with no strings attached.
“I was just dumbfounded, absolutely dumbfounded,” said Teresa Rae, Boundary County board vice-chair. “Over the years, we were able to secure support for almost everything — except our number one priority.”
Valley View Elementary has been in poor condition for decades. Built with materials salvaged from a decommissioned World War II base, the structure lacks rebar and central heating. The gymnasium collapsed in 1996, and a 2023 inspection found the building was one disaster away from condemnation.
Following a third failed bond attempt in three years, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke toured the school last year and called it “an embarrassment."
The district aiming to break ground in spring 2026 and open the new school in summer 2027. The new facility will be built adjacent to the existing building.
“Number one, it’s going to be safe,” Superintendent Jan Bayer said. “No one will have to worry about plumbing failures, roofs collapsing or walls coming down.”
The $13.2 million in state funding will be combined with $5.13 million in capital investment secured through a different bill, bringing the total project budget to about $18.3 million.
The new school will include four classrooms per grade level, but no new gymnasium, in accordance with the district’s application.
