HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-16 West Ada EST.
West A
2950 SCHOOL DISTRICT
July 15, 2020
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Whitecliffe Estates No. 2
File No. H-2020-0070
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 29 (=# homes x 0.8 per census data)
school aged children. Approval of the Whitecliffe Estates No. 2 will affect enrollments at the following schools in West
Ada District:
Enrollment Capacity Miles
(Dev.to School)
Ponderosa Elementary 642 650 2.7
Sawtooth Middle School 1018 1000 .8
Rocky Mountain High School 2594 1800 1.2
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 delay the Application for Whitecliffe Estates No.2, until Fall 2020,within a year of the opening of Owyhee
High 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.
Since,fely,
Joe Yochum
Assistant Superintendent—Operations
West Ada School District