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Home My WebLink AboutR. Steve Smylie1 Chris Johnson From:C.Jay Coles Sent:Tuesday, October 02, 2018 9:33 AM To:Chris Johnson Subject:FW: Owyhee High School From: Joe Borton Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 7:47 AM To: R S < ssmylie5281@msn.com > Cc: Mayor and City Council < MayorandCityCouncil@meridiancity.org >; C.Jay Coles < cjcoles@meridiancity.org > Subject: Re: Owyhee High School Steve, For the record please provide to our city clerk the “informational materials” that you referenced in your email, thank you! Joe Borton City Councilman On Oct 1, 2018, at 9:22 PM, R S < ssmylie5281@msn.com > wrote: Dear Genesis, Ty, Joe, Luke, Anne, and Treg, I could write three pages, but I will limit my remarks to a few sentences. I ran for the School Board for simple reasons, I've been an educator all my life, care about my community, and understand the basic truth of local government: WE DO IT BEST WHEN WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM! I deeply appreciate our recent meetings together and the support that most of you offered when the bond ran last March. Now here it is October, and I'm scared to death that the project won't be ready by Fall, 2020. This location wasn't a secret, it was clearly shown in our informational materials, website, and in numerous public presentations, many of them attended by Meridian officials. Yes, it is ahead of the growth, it has to be. By the time the school opens there will be several thousand more students. Besides, it's a waste of taxpayer money to pay triple or quadruple the money for land within the already approved development zones. Delays and added expenses will have to be borne by the money that voters approved or other district sources. We are pledged to responsible use of precious taxpayer money, West Ada already has the lowest tax levy rate in the entire Treasure Valley. We stand ready to assist in every way possible, but we want to get started as soon as possible. We've done our best to answer every concern of our patrons, the surrounding property owners, and the city staff. I look forward to a good council meeting and hopefully, for your support tomorrow. Thank you for your dedicated service, 2 Steve R. Steve Smylie Educator, former Representative 3662 E. Granger Dr. Meridian, ID 83646 (208)377-5281 1 Chris Johnson From:Robert Simison Sent:Tuesday, October 02, 2018 9:36 AM To:Cameron Arial Cc:C.Jay Coles; Chris Johnson Subject:FW: Owyhee High School Robert Simison | Chief of Staff City of Meridian | Mayor’s Office All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law, in regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law. From: R S [ mailto:ssmylie5281@msn.com ] Sent: Monday, October 01, 2018 9:23 PM To: citycouncil < citycouncil@meridiancity.org > Subject: Owyhee High School Dear Genesis, Ty, Joe, Luke, Anne, and Treg, I could write three pages, but I will limit my remarks to a few sentences. I ran for the School Board for simple reasons, I've been an educator all my life, care about my community, and understand the basic truth of local government: WE DO IT BEST WHEN WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM! I deeply appreciate our recent meetings together and the support that most of you offered when the bond ran last March. Now here it is October, and I'm scared to death that the project won't be ready by Fall, 2020. This location wasn't a secret, it was clearly shown in our informational materials, website, and in numerous public presentations, many of them attended by Meridian officials. Yes, it is ahead of the growth, it has to be. By the time the school opens there will be several thousand more students. Besides, it's a waste of taxpayer money to pay triple or quadruple the money for land within the already approved development zones. Delays and added expenses will have to be borne by the money that voters approved or other district sources. We are pledged to responsible use of precious taxpayer money, West Ada already has the lowest tax levy rate in the entire Treasure Valley. We stand ready to assist in every way possible, but we want to get started as soon as possible. We've done our best to answer every concern of our patrons, the surrounding property owners, and the city staff. I look forward to a good council meeting and hopefully, for your support tomorrow. Thank you for your dedicated service, Steve R. Steve Smylie Educator, former Representative 3662 E. Granger Dr. Meridian, ID 83646 (208)377-5281 1 Chris Johnson From:C.Jay Coles Sent:Wednesday, October 03, 2018 12:09 PM To:Chris Johnson Subject:FW: Owyhee High School Attachments:West Ada Bond Community Presentation.pdf From: R S [ mailto:ssmylie5281@msn.com ] Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 10:22 AM To: Joe Borton < jborton@meridiancity.org >; C.Jay Coles < cjcoles@meridiancity.org > Subject: Re: Owyhee High School Joe, This was posted on the district website and presented to numerous audiences. Note on page 3, the location, north of Ustick and just west of McDermott along with a map was provided. Keep in mind, Joe, we are obligated to be careful stewards of taxpayer money, West Ada has striven to keep tax rates low, indeed, we have the lowest levy rate in the Valley! So are we wiser to buy land at $27,000 and acre that's further out but in the growth path, or spend $100,000+ per acre to get land closer in? Maybe we should start over and build in the County, only to anticipate being annexed in five years? I mean, really, what do you want? I think that working with the City is far superior, but we have to make it happen! Again, we stand ready to cooperate in every way we can. But every penny extra that we must spend comes out of the money that goes to build the school and teach the children. We've done everything we can to show you why we are asking for your help. But we can't do everything. We must rely on our partners in other local governments to join in by doing what they do. It's hard enough to teach, build, and plan for our schools. We can't be expected to do road construction, build fire houses, and so on. If we must, it comes out of the taxpayers' pockets, one way or another. The continuation to Oct. 23 will be an issue, since this is a Board meeting night. But it's more important to get to yes. I'm already doubtful that the school will be ready by Fall, 2020. It's taken a full 3 months longer than we planned to get through even the preliminary approval processes. I know, such is the nature of bureaucracy, but tell that to those students at Rocky Mountain, Mt. View, and Eagle who eat lunch on the floor and have to do avoidance moves just to get down the hall or exit the parking lots. Let's make this happen! Again, I'm holding you to another round of coffee. My best, Steve From: Joe Borton < jborton@meridiancity.org > Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 7:46 AM To: R S Cc: Mayor and City Council; C.Jay Coles Subject: Re: Owyhee High School 2 Steve, For the record please provide to our city clerk the “informational materials” that you referenced in your email, thank you! Joe Borton City Councilman On Oct 1, 2018, at 9:22 PM, R S <ssmylie5281@msn.com > wrote: Dear Genesis, Ty, Joe, Luke, Anne, and Treg, I could write three pages, but I will limit my remarks to a few sentences. I ran for the School Board for simple reasons, I've been an educator all my life, care about my community, and understand the basic truth of local government: WE DO IT BEST WHEN WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM! I deeply appreciate our recent meetings together and the support that most of you offered when the bond ran last March. Now here it is October, and I'm scared to death that the project won't be ready by Fall, 2020. This location wasn't a secret, it was clearly shown in our informational materials, website, and in numerous public presentations, many of them attended by Meridian officials. Yes, it is ahead of the growth, it has to be. By the time the school opens there will be several thousand more students. Besides, it's a waste of taxpayer money to pay triple or quadruple the money for land within the already approved development zones. Delays and added expenses will have to be borne by the money that voters approved or other district sources. We are pledged to responsible use of precious taxpayer money, West Ada already has the lowest tax levy rate in the entire Treasure Valley. We stand ready to assist in every way possible, but we want to get started as soon as possible. We've done our best to answer every concern of our patrons, the surrounding property owners, and the city staff. I look forward to a good council meeting and hopefully, for your support tomorrow. Thank you for your dedicated service, Steve R. Steve Smylie Educator, former Representative 3662 E. Granger Dr. Meridian, ID 83646 (208)377-5281 City of Meridian 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone: 208-888-4433 www.meridiancity.org All e-mail messages sent to or received by City of Meridian e-mail accounts are subject to the Idaho law, in 3 regards to both release and retention, and may be released upon request, unless exempt from disclosure by law. West Ada School District Supplemental and Bond Levy Election 2018 14,582 approved residential homes will generate 11,665 new students in West Ada Accelerating Student Enrollment in West Ada School District •Idaho is now the fastest growing state in the US. Much of that growth is in the Treasure Valley. •If historic enrollment trends continue, West Ada School District’s student enrollment will exceed 50,000 students within the next ten years. •When enrollment exceeds about 42,000 students, West Ada will be in the 100 largest school districts in the United States Currently approved residential subdivisions High School Enrollment Capacity School 2018 2019 2020 1800 Eagle 2230 2318 2406 1800 Rocky 2612 2650 2688 2400 Meridian 2041 2149 2257 High Schools are at or over capacity EHS: 406 CHS: 6 MVHS: 428 RMHS: 593 MHS: +561 Average increase in high school enrollment since 2010: 247 4 of 5 Projected enrollment increases based on approved subdivisions in each of the following high school attendance areas •The new school would open fall 2020 •The school will have capacity for 1800 students •The school will be located on the north side of Ustick, just west of McDermott •The budgeted construction cost of the school is $60 million •Design work has already begun in order to open the school by fall of 2020 •The school will relieve overcrowding at Eagle High and Rocky Mountain and absorb enrollment increases in the Meridian High School attendance area Net high school seats in 2020: -1351 Meridian High School’s 35 square mile attendance area includes 8781 approved residential construction sites. These new residences will generate 2160 new high school students. High School Design •Design West was selected to design the new school •The design, which has been built in four other school districts, will be modified to make it unique to the West Ada School District (entrance and color scheme) •Using a prototype design will allow the district to meet the 2020 opening date •Using a prototype design will save taxpayer dollars on design costs New Elementary School •Capacity of 650 students •Approximately 65,000 square feet •Separate gymnasium and cafeteria facilities •Located on the east side of Blackcat between Chinden and McMillan •Will be built using West Ada’s prototype elementary design The new elementary school will be built in one of the fastest growing areas of North Meridian Total Cost-$16 Million Total Cost-$8 Million •Add 20 classroom addition on the south side of the building •Increase classroom capacity by 600 student capacity •Expand size of cafeteria •Increase MVHS capacity to 2400 students With capacity of 2400, MVHS will be able to have a feeder school system that includes two entire middle schools, rather than having a feeder system with 1.5 middle schools needed to fill a 1800 student capacity high school Expansion to Mountain View Mountain View’s Current Enrollment: 2228 •With 2170 approved home sites in its attendance area, another high school will be needed in the future in the southwest area of West Ada School District Total Cost-$7 Million Remodel of Star Elementary Star’s Current Enrollment: 531 •Star’s enrollment increased by 40 students this year •The 2970 approved home sites in Star’s attendance area will generate 1096 elementary students in Star’s current attendance area over the next 10 years Star Elementary •Current school capacity: 470 •Add 6 classrooms •Expand school capacity by 180 •Replace 1911 gymnasium/cafeteria with new cafeteria and gymnasium •Expand parking area to keep staff parking off of streets and in the neighboring city park lot Total Cost-$1 Million Classroom addition to Mary McPherson Replace portables on the north side of the building with permanent classrooms Mary McPherson Elementary •Current school capacity: 430 •Add 4 classrooms •Expand school capacity by 120 •Expand parking area Mary McPherson’s Current Enrollment: 480 West Ada School District Bond Proposal New High School MVHS Expansion Mary Mac Classrooms Star Remodel New Elementary School Future School Sites West Ada School District Supplemental Levy Proposal History of Supplemental Levies in West Ada Date Amount Percent 05/25/1984 771,000 56.90% 02/26/1985 850,000 59.00% 03/04/1986 892,500 51.44% 06/02/1987 892,500 48.00% 05/17/1988 401,377 54.71% 05/17/2005 5,000,000 80.56% -funded 25 teachers above state; IB program implem. 05/15/2007 10,000,000 61.56% -funded 25 teachers above state; technology; curriculum 03/03/2009 10,000,000 73.87% -funded 25 teachers above state; technology; curriculum 05/17/2011 18,500,000 43.30% -Cuts: 14 days; participation fees; classified, administration, certified positions; mid-day K busing; benefits 03/13/2012 14,000,000 53.69% -Restored 9 school calendar days 03/11/2014 14,000,000 60.15% -Maintained current programs and operations; increased teacher staffing; restored some high school sports teams 11/03/2015 14,000,000 59.33% -Maintained current programs and operations; increased teacher staffing Supplemental Levy Recommendation •$14 million per year for each of the next two years •2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years •Maintain current programs and operations •Continue efforts to restore certified staffing to state levels (currently 42 below, down from 123) •Reach goal to eliminate deficit budgeting •Work to restore other items cut but not restored Impact on Levy Rate 2016-17 2017-18 Taxable Property Value Taxable Property Value $16,839,596,520 $18,616,330,525 Levy Amount Levy Rate Levy Amount Levy Rate Plant $20,000,000 0.001188383 Plant $16,000,000 0.000850624 Supplemental 14,000,000 0.000825178 Supplemental 14,000,000 0.000744296 Bond $30,527,249 0.001810617 Bond $36,309,399 0.001946174 Total Levy 0.003824178 0.003541095 The levy rate will not increase if the school bond and supplemental levy are approved by voters Current West Ada School District Levy Rate: $377 per $100,000 of taxable property value Treasure Valley School District Levy Rates 3.77 3.77 4.10 4.19 4.48 4.66 4.93 4.95 5.00 5.27 5.39 5.75 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 West Ada Homedale Marsing Caldwell Nampa Boise Wilder Middleton Kuna Notus Vallivue Parma Voter Information School Bond measures require 66 2/3rds of votes in favor of the bond measure Supplemental Levies require 50% of votes in favor of the levy February 11 Last day for the County Clerk to mail absentee ballots for the March 13 election to voters who requested absentee ba llots. February 16 Last day to pre-register to vote with the County Clerk until 5:00 p.m. for the March 13 election. Registration closes in those districts holding a March 13 election. Election Day Registration is available. February 26 Last day to begin Early Voting at the Early Voting Polling Place for the March 13 election for those counties who el ect to conduct Early Voting. March 2 Last day for an application for a mail-in absentee ballot to be received by the County Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. fo r the March 13 election. March 9 Last day for in-person absentee voting until 5:00 p.m. for the March 13 election at the absent elector’s polling place. March 9 Last day for Early Voting until 5:00 p.m. for the March 13 election at the Early Voting polling place. Election Day: March 13, 2018 Anyone living within the West Ada School District Boundaries is eligible to vote More information about when to vote, who can vote and polling locations can be found at https://adacounty.id.gov/elections