Stark letter: West Ada district
The West Ada School District is working with the city of Meridian and the Treasure Valley YMCA to build Hillsdale Elementary. The involvement with the YMCA was recently celebrated at the Heritage Dinner, which honored the retirement of CEO Jim Everett. When funds are too short for unexpected construction costs, the school can be built and our students are served anyway. Having an elementary school as part of a Meridian library and YMCA and pool complex will repay the Y and library by attracting families familiar with the school to these other facilities. A win for all. Yet an outspoken district trustee and other naysayers attempt to prevail.
Most parents have been willing to support student activities over the years. Chemistry lab fees are part of the district’s vision to provide excellent education by offering modern competitive courses. That same trustee searched for an obscure phrase in the law regarding free education, then sued the district he claims to support, trying to stop any extra fees. What is more important — a few extra dollars from parents or the best possible education for their children?
West Ada district’s motto is “Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Challenges.” Let’s do that.
Jean C. Stark, Boise
This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 11:14 PM with the headline "Stark letter: West Ada district."