Joint School District No. 2 CommentsJOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2
_ 1303 E. CENTRAL,DRIVE
DR. LINDA CLARK
SUPERINTENDENT
May 29, 2014
City of Meridian
City Clerk's Office
Attn: Machelle Hill
33 East Broadway Avenue
Meridian, ID 83642
Dear Planners:
Joint School District No. 2 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 Biltmore Subdivision will have an impact on school enrollments at elementary, middle school and high school
levels in Joint School District No. 2. Based on U.S. census data, we can predict that these homes, when completed,
will house 127 school aged children.
Joint School District No. 2 supports economic growth. However, growth fosters the need for additional school
capacity. Revenue support from developers of new residential subdivisions is required for the purchase of the
school sites necessary to serve the proposed subdivision. Joint School District No.2 estimates the revenue required
for the purchase of future school sites is $830.00 per new home unit. The approval of Biltmore Subdivision will
create the need for $131,970.00 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 school sites. Such sites will
need water and sewer service available, and 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,
Bruce Gestrin Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent