Agency CommentsEST.
West
SCHOOL DISTRICT
April 9, 2015
City of Meridian
City Clerk's Office, Attn: Machelle Hill
33 East Broadway Avenue
Meridian, ID 83642
Dear Planners:
Joint School District No. 2 (dba West Ada School District) has experienced phenomenal student growth
in the last ten years. Nearly every high school, middle school, and elementary school throughout the
district is operating at or over capacity. Approval of the Avendale Subdivision will have a significant
impact on school enrollments at the elementary, middle school and high school levels in West Ada
School District. Based on U.S. census data, we can predict that these homes, when completed, will
house 208 school aged children.
West Ada School District supports economic growth. However, growth fosters the need for additional
school capacity. Revenue support from developers of new residential subdivisions for the purchase of
the school sites necessary to serve the proposed subdivision is required. West Ada School District
estimates the revenue required for the purchase of future school sites is $830.00 per new home
constructed. The approval of Avendale Subdivision will create the need for $215.800 in revenue to
purchase the school sites this subdivision will require. In lieu of these sources of revenue, the district
will accept the donation of land appropriate for a school site. Such a site would need water and sewer
service availableand prior to the commencement of construction, the district will need to pass a bond
issue for the construction of schools.
Residents cannot be assured of attending the neighborhood school as it may be necessary to bus
students to available classrooms across the district. We ask that you require the developer to provide
safe walkways, bike baths and safe pedestrian access for our students. School capacity is addressed in
Idaho code 67-6508. Joint School District No. 2 is currently operating beyond capacity. Future
development will continue to have an impact on the district's capacity.
Sincerely,
Jan Horning Ph.D.
Assistant Superinte
West Ada School Di
Dr. Linda Clark, Superintendent
1303 E. Central Drive • Meridian, ID 83642 • P: (208) 855-4500 • F: (208) 350-5962