Governor Joe Lombardo, accompanied by Elko County School District trustees and administrators, state Sen. Ira Hansen, and Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen, participated in a momentous groundbreaking ceremony for a new school in Owyhee. The event marked a significant milestone in the fulfillment of Assembly Bill 519, which secures $64.5 million for the construction of the new educational facility.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on April 26, was attended by members of the Shoshone-Paiute tribes, alongside representatives from the Idaho National Guard, demonstrating a collaborative effort to advance education infrastructure in the region.
The initiative to secure funding for the new school was championed by Senator Ira Hansen and Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen, who recognized the urgent need to replace the aging Owyhee Combined School building.
During the ceremony, local schoolchildren shared their excitement for the upcoming project, set to be built on grounds generously provided by the Shoshone-Paiute tribes. While construction has yet to commence, the community eagerly anticipates the development, signaling a new era of educational excellence in Owyhee.
Currently in the preliminary stages of environmental and architectural permitting, the construction effort is expected to ramp up in the coming months.
Located 99 miles north of Elko on Mountain City Highway, Owyhee is a beacon of hope for rural communities striving to enhance educational opportunities for future generations. Assembly Bill 519 not only allocates funds for school construction but also establishes grants for rural schools and tribal reservations, underscoring the legislature's commitment to fostering educational equity across the state.