HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-10 WASD/ EST.
West A
95° SCHOOL DISTRICT
July 10, 2020
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Allmon Subdivision
File No. H-2020-0071
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 26 (_ # homes x 0.8 per census data)
school aged children. Approval of the Allmon Subdivision 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 Rocky Mountain High School, it is West Ada School District's opinion it
would be best to deny the approval of the Allmon Subdivision. The opening of Owyhee High School will provide relief for
Rocky Mountain High School but will not alleviate the overcrowding at Prospect Elementary or Heritage Middle School.
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.
incerely;
Joe Yoc um
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District
Enrollment
Capacity
Miles
(Dev. to School)
Prospect Elementary
691
650
1.5
Heritage Middle School
1251
1000
1.8
Rocky Mountain High School
2448
1800
3.0
West Ada School District supports economic growth; however, growth fosters the need for additional school capacity.
Due to the current over enrollment situation at Rocky Mountain High School, it is West Ada School District's opinion it
would be best to deny the approval of the Allmon Subdivision. The opening of Owyhee High School will provide relief for
Rocky Mountain High School but will not alleviate the overcrowding at Prospect Elementary or Heritage Middle School.
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.
incerely;
Joe Yoc um
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District