Ground is expected to be broken on the Kootenai Technical Education Campus this fall.

"We hope to start construction in early September," said Post Falls School Superintendent Jerry Keane.

The school is slated to open in the fall of 2012.

Voters in the Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Lakeland school districts last August approved financing for the 54,000-square foot, $9.5 million professional-technical high school at the southwest corner of Lancaster and Meyer roads in Rathdrum.

"We are still working on the design for the building and grounds with a plan to bid the project out in late July," Keane said. "We are hoping that the bid climate is favorable."

The school will offer classes in skilled trades such as health occupations, welding, construction and automotive to juniors and seniors in the three districts.

"We hope to get much of the necessary equipment donated by our business partners and their connections," Keane said.

The property is in the process of being annexed into the city of Rathdrum.

"We hope to have that complete soon in order to apply for a building permit," Keane said.

Keane said no decisions have been made regarding when or how to pursue a school administrator. He said that will be discussed at the KTEC board's next meeting at 1:30 p.m. June 17 at the Midtown Center in Coeur d'Alene.

Keane said a levy to fund KTEC's operation will not be floated.

"The three districts will share the cost similar to what happens with Riverbend (Technical Academy) now," Keane said. "Each district provides personnel and shares all the costs."

The certified nursing assistant and computer repair programs currently housed at North Idaho College's Workforce Training Center at Riverbend Commerce Park will be moved to the KTEC building after it's built.

The Legislature approved a bill allowing construction on the project to start a year earlier than originally anticipated. The law will not be an additional financial burden on taxpayers.

The previous law required that all funds must be collected from taxpayers before building can begin. The new law allows construction to begin as the taxes are collected, provided contractors are warned that payments could lag if tax revenues decrease.