Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello, Idaho Closes Thursday Due to Unexpected Plumbing Issue
POCATELLO, Idaho — Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello will have no classes Thursday, April 23, after an unexpected plumbing issue forced Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 to close the building, district officials announced.
The closure affects all students and staff at the middle school for the full school day. District leaders indicated they are actively working to address the plumbing problem and anticipate that normal classes will resume on Friday, April 24, as scheduled.
After-School Activities Also Canceled
The disruption extends beyond the classroom. All after-school activities at Hawthorne Middle School, including track practice, have been canceled for both Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the plumbing issue. District officials expect all activities to return to their normal schedule on Friday.
Families with students involved in extracurricular programs are encouraged to plan accordingly and watch for any further updates from the district regarding the status of the building and programming through the end of the week.
While the specific nature of the plumbing problem has not been detailed publicly, the swift decision to close the school reflects the district’s commitment to maintaining a safe and functional learning environment. Plumbing failures in school buildings can present a range of concerns — from lack of running water to sanitation issues — that make it impractical and potentially unsafe to keep students and staff on-site.
District Working to Minimize Disruption for Students and Families
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 serves thousands of students across Bannock County and has consistently worked to maintain its facilities and minimize interruptions to the academic calendar. An unexpected closure of this nature, while disruptive, underscores the challenges school districts across Idaho face in managing aging infrastructure within the constraints of public budgets.
District officials have not indicated whether the closure will require any makeup days or adjustments to the academic calendar, suggesting they are confident the issue can be resolved quickly and that a single day away from the building will be sufficient.
Parents and guardians of Hawthorne Middle School students who have questions about Thursday’s closure, childcare arrangements, or the status of specific activities are encouraged to contact the school or district office directly for the most up-to-date information.
It is not uncommon for schools across Southeast Idaho and the broader state to face periodic infrastructure challenges, particularly in older buildings. School districts must often balance the immediate needs of students and staff against the realities of limited maintenance budgets and the complexities of repairing systems mid-school year.
For the latest statewide coverage of education issues in Idaho, visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.
Bannock County News will continue to follow developments at Hawthorne Middle School and will report any updates as they become available from Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25.
Sports fans and school community members may also be interested in following other local student-athlete news, including Pocatello’s Highland High School senior Nash Randall, who recently signed his letter of intent to play college baseball in Idaho.
What Comes Next
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 expects Hawthorne Middle School to reopen with a full class schedule on Friday, April 24. All after-school activities, including track practice, are also expected to resume that day. The district has not announced any additional closures or schedule changes at this time. Families should continue to monitor official district communications for any updates should the situation change before Friday morning.