West Ada School District Update
July 21, 2020
Diesel Tech Student Earns Prestigious Scholarships
New School Year Brings Leadership Changes
School Administrators:
Barbara Morgan STEM Academy - Lauri Wright
Crossroads Middle School - Joe Palaia
Eagle High School - Susan McInerney
Heritage Middle School - Ryan Wilhite
Meridian Academy - Dr. Eian Harm
Paramount Elementary School - Aimee Larsen
Pleasant View Elementary School - Amy Senethavilay
Ponderosa Elementary School - Kaycee Choate
Silver Sage Elementary School - Anne Spittle
Summerwind STEM Academy - Meghan Stewart
Virtual School House – Dr. Sherawn Reberry
District Administrators:
Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning - Bret Heller
Curriculum and Instruction Director - Dr. Dustin Barrett
Education Foundation Director - Keri Davidson
Updates to Fall Reopening Plan
Recently, the State Board and the Governor’s Office released a decision-making framework. Important within that document was that the idea of “community” is no longer defined as an entire county, but rather allows for community be defined down to an individual school or perhaps even an individual classroom. This is important in that an issue for example at Star Elementary does not have implications for an elementary on the other side of the district.
Topics of note:
- We have ordered enough laptops to provide 1:1 for all students in grades 3-12. Classroom sets of iPads or laptops will allow students in grades K-2 to be assigned a device, which can be sent home with students in case of a school closure.
- Preventative measures will be in place in every building and orders have been placed for increased hand-sanitizing stations, face-coverings for staff and students, plexi-shields for office areas, etc.
- Each school site will have a building safety plan that fits the unique needs and demands of the facility.
- We hope to begin the year in Green which means the buses will run and students will return to school. This decision is based on current medical research that supports a safe in-person return to school with preventive measures in place.
- We are defining Green based on collaboration with Central District Health and the State Board of Education as evidence of isolated cases, case investigations underway, no evidence of exposure in community setting (school, classroom, team, etc.).
- If circumstances change, we are ready to transition to Yellow (which may include increased preventative measures and/or alternating day schedules), or Red (students learning remotely with instruction, assignments, feedback, and grading in place).
- The Virtual School House is an online school of choice for parents who want to keep their children home. Registration opens this week in students' PowerSchool accounts. Teaching positions for the Virtual School House are currently posted for internal candidates on the District website.
Supplemental Levy on August 25th Ballot
Voters living in the boundaries of West Ada School District will see on their August 25th ballot a request from the District for a continuation of a supplemental levy first approved in 2012. As in 2012, and every two years since then, West Ada School District asks voters for $14 million. The $14 million accounts for about 5 percent of general funding for the budget. This funding is used for supporting current programs, school days, and teacher to student ratios.
West Ada School District’s overall levy rate continues decreasing due to the early repayment of and refinancing of school bonds, increasing property values due to new construction and county appraisals, and predictions an emergency levy is not needed in the coming year. If the supplemental levy is approved by voters, the levied amount is still lower than that of last year.
Requests for absentee ballots can now be completed online at the following link: https://idahovotes.gov/. For this election, absentee ballots need to be requested by August 14. The ballots are due back to Ada County Elections by August 25.
www.westada.org/SupplementalLevy2020
Boundaries are vast in West Ada School District, encompassing homes in Boise, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, Meridian, Nampa and Star. In explanation of how a homeowner’s county-appraised home value and taxes levied by West Ada School District have changed recently, please review the following example.
Free Food Boxes, Summer Meal Site Update
USDA Farmers to Families food boxes are available Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the loading dock on the west side of the District Service Center, near the entrance to Renaissance High School. Boxes are available July 22 and 29. These boxes are provided on a first come basis.
Free weekday meals are provided at six school sites through the remainder of summer, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. These changes reflect the meal site offerings of previous summers.
Request for Clear Face Masks
Many students need to see their teacher or therapist's mouth in order to learn. For example, a student learning how to say their sounds correctly needs to see a speech-language pathologist's mouth, and a student who is deaf or hard of hearing needs to be able to lip read. To best serve these students, the special services team is looking for community members with sewing expertise able to make and donate face masks with a clear portion for mouth-watching purposes.
This webpage contains links to several how-to videos for making clear face masks: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/diy-face-masks-with-clear-panels/.
Please contact the special services team at dscsped@westada.org or 208-350-5034 as needed. Donations may be dropped off at the District Service Center.