West Ada School District Update
August 26, 2020
Upcoming Events
August 26 – Virtual School House enrollment closes
September 1 - Team designation for alternating schedule available in PowerSchool for 9-12
September 7 – West Ada School District offices closed for Labor Day
September 8 – First day of school in remote setting
School Starts Remotely on September 8
The Board of Trustees adopted starting the school year in red status (all remote) for the first week of the school year, starting September 8, during their regular meeting on August 25. West Ada School District will be in remote learning with the understanding that Central District Health may change their guidance and that the district administration can move the district into yellow (alternating day schedule) one week following that announcement. Trustees also added to the fall reopening plan mandatory masks, under yellow and red categories, including related operations.
Trustees also encouraged teachers and administrators, while operating in the red category, to welcome back students in-person in small groups or individually so they may distribute devices and learning materials.
Distribution of One-to-One Devices
West Ada School District purchased laptops, tablets and other technology at the end of last school year fulfilling a need for one device per one student. Shipments have arrived throughout August, with the last expected around August 31. Software and other programs are installed on these devices before they are distributed. Details about picking up devices will be shared by each school once they are ready for student and staff use – likely the week before school starts.
Students in grades K-2 will be issued tablets or laptops, and students in grades 3-12 will be issued laptops. Concerns regarding internet access will be addressed as needed with data hot spots or assistance finding discounted home internet. The district has extended Wi-Fi signals beyond the walls of each school so students may access the internet from anywhere on school grounds.
Providing computers for all students requires a significant investment. West Ada School District was able to make this investment without further reducing its operating budget or cutting programs. New computers were purchased using $7 million in local revenue from plant levy funds.
Instructional Guide for Red, Yellow Operations
Supplemental Levy Approved by Voters
West Ada School District’s supplemental levy was approved by voters on August 25, 2020. It provides the district $14 million per year for two years. This supplemental levy is a continuation of one first approved by voters in 2012. The taxes levied by West Ada School District continue decreasing – even with the approval of this supplemental levy.
A sincere thanks goes out to all who participated in voting.
Read more about the supplemental levy here: www.westada.org/SupplementalLevy2020
Contact Information
If you have questions about your specific school please contact them directly.
If you have questions about devices you can call 208-350-5300.