HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-26 West Ada School District��ST AtjEST
vA West Ada
SCHOOL DISTRICTL DZS
June 26, 2019
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Adera Townhomes & Office Suites
File No. H-2019-0069
Dear Planners:
Joint School District No. 2 (dba West Ada School District) has experienced significant and sustained growth in student
enrollment during the last ten years. Many of our schools throughout the district are operating at or above capacity. Based
on U.S. census data, we can predict that these homes, when completed, will house 34 (= # homes x 0.8 per census data)
school aged children. Approval of the Adera Townhomes and Office Suites will affect enrollments at the following schools
in West Ada District:
West Ada School District supports economic growth; however, growth fosters the need for additional school capacity.
Due to the current over enrollment situation at the schools this development would impact, it is West Ada School District's
opinion it would be best to deny the Application for Adera Townhomes and Office Suites. In order to meet the need for
additional school capacity, West Ada School District will accept the donation of land appropriate for a school site. Passage
of a bond issue will be required prior to the commencement of new school construction.
If this development is approved residents cannot be assured of attending the neighborhood school as it may be necessary
to bus students to available classrooms across the district. The safety of our students is our first and foremost priority.
With this in mind, we ask that you encourage the developer to provide safe walkways, bike baths and pedestrian access
for our students. School capacity and transportation is addressed in Idaho Code 67-6508 - future development will
continue to have an impact on the district's capacity.
ncerely,
Jo Yochum
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District
Enrollment
Capacity
Miles
Dev. to school
Hunter Elementary
793
650
1.4
Sawtooth Middle School
1063
1000
.6
Rocky Mountain High School
2448
1800
2.5
West Ada School District supports economic growth; however, growth fosters the need for additional school capacity.
Due to the current over enrollment situation at the schools this development would impact, it is West Ada School District's
opinion it would be best to deny the Application for Adera Townhomes and Office Suites. In order to meet the need for
additional school capacity, West Ada School District will accept the donation of land appropriate for a school site. Passage
of a bond issue will be required prior to the commencement of new school construction.
If this development is approved residents cannot be assured of attending the neighborhood school as it may be necessary
to bus students to available classrooms across the district. The safety of our students is our first and foremost priority.
With this in mind, we ask that you encourage the developer to provide safe walkways, bike baths and pedestrian access
for our students. School capacity and transportation is addressed in Idaho Code 67-6508 - future development will
continue to have an impact on the district's capacity.
ncerely,
Jo Yochum
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District