Skyline High School in Idaho Falls Cancels Classes for Fourth Consecutive Day Amid Air Quality Testing
Students at Skyline High School in Idaho Falls will miss a fourth consecutive day of classes Monday as Idaho Falls School District 91 works to confirm the building’s air is safe following repeated evacuations tied to a faulty air conditioning system.
District Superintendent Karla LaOrange notified families Sunday morning in a letter that Monday’s closure is necessary while officials await additional test results before allowing students and staff to return.
“We are expecting to receive additional information on Monday that is necessary to ensure a safe return for students and staff,” LaOrange’s letter states.
Faulty AC System Behind Repeated Evacuations
The ongoing disruption traces back to a malfunctioning air conditioning system that has twice forced the evacuation of students from the building after a “rotten egg” smell spread throughout the school, according to a report from MarCom LLC — the company hired by the district to conduct air quality testing throughout the repair process.
The odor raised concerns about the safety of the air circulating inside Skyline High School, prompting district officials to take a cautious approach before resuming normal instruction. MarCom LLC’s continued testing is meant to provide the data needed to verify conditions meet safety standards before students and staff re-enter the building.
School facility issues have posed challenges for several schools across the region recently. Earlier this year, Hawthorne Middle School was also closed due to a separate plumbing issue, underscoring the strain aging school infrastructure can place on students, families, and district administrators alike.
AP Students Directed to Alternative Locations
While the broader closure remains in effect for the general student population, there is one notable exception: students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are still expected to attend school Monday. However, their classes will not be held at Skyline. Instead, AP instruction will take place at alternate locations elsewhere within the district.
LaOrange’s letter directed families of AP students to monitor their email for specific details regarding times and locations for Monday’s sessions. The accommodation reflects the district’s effort to minimize academic disruption for students preparing for AP exams, which carry significant consequences for college credit and academic standing.
For the majority of Skyline students, the extended absence from the classroom adds to growing concerns about instructional time lost during what is already a critical stretch of the academic calendar. With the end of the school year approaching, administrators will face pressure to account for the missed days and ensure students are adequately prepared for final exams and course completion requirements.
District officials have not yet specified when a full return to Skyline High School is expected, stating only that the decision hinges on the results of ongoing air quality evaluation by MarCom LLC. The cautious approach is consistent with the district’s stated priority of ensuring a safe environment before resuming in-person instruction.
Bannock County and Southeast Idaho families are no strangers to the disruptions that can result from aging school facilities, and the situation at Skyline serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance investment. For more coverage of education policy and school matters affecting Idaho students statewide, visit Idaho News.
What Comes Next
District 91 officials are expected to receive additional air quality testing data from MarCom LLC on Monday that will inform the timeline for Skyline High School’s reopening. Superintendent LaOrange has indicated families will receive updated information as it becomes available. AP students should check their email for specific guidance on Monday class locations. No firm reopening date for the full student body has been announced. Bannock County News will continue to monitor this developing story as more information is released by district officials.