Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello, Idaho Closes Thursday Due to Unexpected Plumbing Issue
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Announces Closure, Expects Normal Schedule to Resume Friday
POCATELLO, Idaho — Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello closed its doors Thursday, April 24, after an unexpected plumbing issue forced Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 to cancel classes for the day. The district confirmed the closure and indicated it anticipates the school will return to its regular schedule on Friday.
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 officials notified Hawthorne Middle School staff and families of the closure at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. The district stated it is actively working to address the plumbing problem, though no additional details about the nature or extent of the issue were made available at the time of the announcement.
Along with the cancellation of classes, all after-school activities for both Wednesday and Thursday were also called off. That includes track practice and any other scheduled extracurricular programming at the school. Activities are expected to resume as normal on Friday, April 25, provided the plumbing situation is resolved.
What the Closure Means for Students, Families, and Staff
The sudden mid-week school closure presents logistical challenges for working families in Pocatello who rely on the school’s regular schedule for childcare and planning. While district officials moved quickly to communicate the closure before the end of the school day on Wednesday, the short notice left little time for many households to make alternative arrangements.
Infrastructure issues of this nature — while generally temporary — underscore the importance of maintaining aging school facilities across Southeast Idaho. Unexpected closures not only disrupt the academic calendar for students but can also affect instructional time, extracurricular schedules, and staff routines. The district has not indicated whether any makeup day or instructional time adjustment will be required as a result of the single-day closure.
Hawthorne Middle School serves students in the Pocatello area as part of Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, one of the largest public school districts in Southeast Idaho. The district has been active on several fronts in recent months, including administrative appointments and community fundraising efforts. District 25 recently named Benjamin Cody as the new principal for Century High School, reflecting ongoing leadership development across the district’s secondary schools.
Community support for the district’s students has also been on display in other ways. A challenge to pay off Pocatello-Chubbuck school lunch debt is nearly complete, with one fundraiser remaining — a reminder of the strong community investment in ensuring students are supported both inside and outside the classroom.
The district has asked families and staff to monitor official communications for any updates regarding Friday’s reopening. As of the time of the announcement Wednesday afternoon, no further information beyond the expected resumption of normal operations on Friday was available.
What Comes Next
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has indicated that Hawthorne Middle School is expected to reopen on Friday, April 25, with both regular classes and after-school activities resuming as scheduled — contingent on the resolution of the plumbing issue. District officials have not announced any plans for a makeup instructional day at this time. Families and staff are encouraged to watch for any further communications from the district should conditions change before Friday’s reopening. For statewide education news, visit Idaho News, and for coverage across the region, check Idaho News Network.