07/23/08

In January — school board officials estimated that the budget for projects would be between $6 and $7 Million. Now they are estimating around $4.7 Million.

The reason for this decrease is that they have taken each and every bid into consideration for the benefit of the schools and children.

Twin Falls School District Facilities Manager Dale Thornsberry says, "I feel really comfortable and confidant that we've taken every step possible to ensure quality buildings that will meet the needs of the children of the future."

One of the twenty–five projects the district has going now or in the future is the much anticipated canyon ridge high school. With a project of that size – problems have come up especially regarding inflation.

Thorsberry says, "C.R.H.S. has experienced costs through the bidding process, we had no control of the increase of construction materials, petroleum products that impact construction."

School officials want to remind the community that they will not be asked to approve any levy to pay for the current projects; and Dr. Dobbs says they have a ten year plan to finish projects within means.

Dobbs says, "With our longer term plan, 2012/2013, we're going to need new elementary and middle schools, at that point in time, we're going to be able to do those projects and we're going ask for our vote of confidence and we're going to be able to do that without asking to raise that tax rate."