COEUR d’ALENE — The new magnet school the Coeur d'Alene School District was planning to launch this fall has been delayed until the 2022-2023 school year.

In an announcement last week, the district cited financial strain as the main obstacle barring the way forward for what will be a hybrid learning school with a community service focus.

"We know this comes as deeply disappointing news, and we are truly sorry," the district stated in the announcement. "We are ready to help students and families prepare to attend their previously enrolled schools in the district next fall, and to address any questions or concerns you have about that process."

About 200 students had already enrolled in the school.

"Our K-12 magnet school staff is very disappointed that we will not be able to open for the 2021-2022 school year," said Brian Kelly, who will serve as principal of the magnet school. "We know this is a great opportunity for students and look forward to bringing this to life and providing this option for our community."

Kelly will remain in his position next school year to lead work with the district administration team. The charge will be to secure ongoing funding, locate a suitable school facility, regroup as a teaching staff, further develop the magnet focus and build enrollment for the following school year.

It has been difficult to find adequate classroom space for the new school in the current real estate market, the district said. Enrollment and staffing have posed challenges, as well.

However, the district expects about half of the students who left the district through the pandemic will return next school year. That will leave Coeur d'Alene down as many as 500 students from pre-pandemic levels, and staffing will have to be adjusted accordingly.

The drop in enrollment, coupled with changes in the state’s school funding formula for next year, will have a significant impact on the district's revenue in 2021-22.

"The state also has informed us it plans to freeze the Public Education Stabilization Fund for the coming year," the district stated in the announcement. "That fund is a source of about $1.1 million a year in state funding for our district, and we can’t be sure the money will be available in 2021-22.

"This financial pinch is not unique to our school district, and the Idaho Legislature is requiring districts across the state to address their budget shortfalls with federal emergency relief funds that were allocated to address the impacts of COVID-19," the announcement continued. "At this time, we project a budget deficit of over $6 million for the 2021-22 school year, and will need to use these one-time emergency funds to balance the budget. Moving forward with the magnet school in the coming year would exacerbate the budget deficit. Holding off another year will help us reduce the deficit by about $500,000."

Families will be contacted by the school their students previously attended or will attend if moving to a secondary school to confirm the student's return next school year.

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