2020-06-10 West Ada School DistrictWest Ada
/ SCHOOL DISTRICT
June 10, 2020
City of Meridian
33 E Broadway Ave., Ste. 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Apex NW & SE Subdivisions
File No. H-2020-0056 & H-2020-0057
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 286 (_ # homes x 0.8 per census data)
school aged children. Approval of the Apex NW & Apex SE Subdivisions will affect enrollments at the following schools
in West Ada District:
Enrollment
Capacity
Miles
(Dev.to School)
Mary McPherson Elementary**
555
550
2.0
Siena Elementary***
677
800
3.1
Victory Middle School
969
1000
4.2
Mountain View High School
2210
2349
3.3
**During the 20/21 school year Mary McPherson's student capacity will increase to 675, due to the current classroom
expansion underway. **
***Enrollment at Hillsdale Elementary is currently capped. Students in this development that are in the Hillsdale Boundary
will be attending Siena Elementary until a new school is built to eliminate overcrowding at Hillsdale.***
West Ada School District supports economic growth; however, growth fosters the need for additional school capacity. 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.
New 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 Yochum
Assistant Superintendent — Operations
West Ada School District