Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on May 20, 2025

GRANGEVILLE, ID – Idaho’s largest school district geographically will split into two smaller districts after residents of Grangeville, Kooskia and Elk City approved the deconsolidation Tuesday.

The current district stretches from Oregon to Montana, with the schools forming a triangle with Grangeville on one side and Kooskia on the other with Elk City in the middle to the south.

The district will now split into two new districts: Clearwater Valley and Grangeville. Elk City will go with Clearwater Valley, a fact that frustrated some community members, but trustees ultimately said the plan made the most sense financially.

A simple majority of voters districtwide had to support deconsolidation. Then a majority of voters in the proposed smaller district, Clearwater Valley, also had to vote in support for the measure to move forward.

Overall, 65% of voters supported deconsolidation.

In Grangeville, 56% were in support, and in Clearwater Valley, 58% supported the move.

The next few months will be busy for the district. The State Board will appoint new trustees for both districts in July. Those trustees will work together to separate the districts and work up new contracts and policies before the split goes into effect in July 2026.