Caldwell School District voters approved a $48 million bond measure Tuesday with 62% support, providing funding for the construction of a new 550-student elementary school in south Caldwell, major renovations to two aging school buildings, and district-wide technology and security upgrades. The bond required a simple majority under Idaho’s updated school construction bond laws and represents the largest capital investment in Caldwell schools in over 15 years.
The vote drew strong turnout for a school election, with 3,800 of the district’s approximately 9,500 registered voters casting ballots. Superintendent Shalene French called the result “a clear statement from our community that they value their children’s education and are willing to invest in the facilities those children deserve.”
Why Caldwell Needs a New Elementary School
The Caldwell School District serves approximately 6,200 students across 11 schools and has experienced steady enrollment growth driven by Canyon County’s expanding population. The district’s elementary schools are collectively operating at 108% of designed capacity, with three buildings — Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Lincoln — exceeding 115%. Portable classroom buildings have been used as a temporary solution, but French said they are “an inadequate long-term answer to a permanent growth problem.”
The new elementary school will be built on a 15-acre site the district acquired on Montana Avenue in south Caldwell, an area where multiple residential subdivisions have been completed or are under construction. The 72,000-square-foot facility will feature 28 classrooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria with a commercial kitchen, a media center, outdoor learning spaces, and fields for physical education and recess.
Renovations and Technology Upgrades
The bond also funds $12 million in renovations at Wilson Elementary and Sacajawea Elementary, two of the district’s oldest buildings. The scope includes complete HVAC replacement, roofing, electrical upgrades, ADA accessibility improvements, and modernized classroom spaces. Both buildings date to the 1970s and have mechanical systems that are well past their useful life.
Technology and security upgrades totaling $6 million will be implemented district-wide, including upgraded classroom interactive displays, refreshed computer labs, expanded Wi-Fi networks, and enhanced security systems including controlled entry points, updated camera systems, and classroom lockdown capabilities.
Property Tax Impact on Canyon County Homeowners
The bond will be repaid over 20 years through property tax assessments within the Caldwell School District boundaries. For a homeowner with a property assessed at $340,000 — approximately the median in the Caldwell area — the bond adds roughly $19 per month ($228 annually) to their property tax bill.
Bond supporters, organized under the “Build for Caldwell Kids” campaign, argued the investment protects property values and ensures Caldwell schools remain competitive with neighboring districts. The College of Idaho, Caldwell’s anchor institution, endorsed the measure, with President David Wolk calling quality K-12 education “the foundation of our community’s future workforce and civic leadership.”
What Comes Next
Design work for the new elementary school begins in April, with the district targeting a groundbreaking in spring 2027 and student occupancy for fall 2028. Community input sessions on the school design will be held in May at the Caldwell Civic Center. Parents and residents can follow bond project updates at caldwellschools.org/bond2026. The school board meets the second Monday of each month at the district office, 1101 Cleveland Boulevard.