2019-11-12 West Ada��ST AdESTWest Ada------ - - ------ -1950 fSCHOOL DISTRICT
�L DIS
November 8, 2019
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Edington Subdivision
File No. H-2019-0109
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 74 (_ # homes x 0.8 per census data)
school aged children. Approval of the Edington Commons will affect enrollments at the following schools in West Ada
District:
637 Capacity Miles
(Dev. to School)
"Paramount Elementary" 701 650 1.2
Sawtooth Middle School 1042 1000 .3
Rocky Mountain High School 2475 1800 1.4
"Enrollment at Hunter Elementary is currently capped. Students in this subdivision will be attending Paramount
Elementary until a new school is built to eliminate overcrowding at Hunter."
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 approval of the Edington Commons, until we are within a year of 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.
Sirely,
Joe ochum
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District