MERIDIAN -- West Ada trustees accepted proposed boundary changes throughout the state's largest school district Tuesday night. These new attendance lines mean that up to 2,100 students may have to switch schools beginning next year.
After five hours, the West Ada trustees approved and adopted the final boundary proposal for elementary school students. They then moved to adopt the proposed middle school boundaries, but made one modification: certain neighborhoods will stay in Lewis & Clark Middle School limits, rather than redrawing their area into Meridian Middle School boundaries.
The board then moved on to making a decision regarding high school boundaries. After back and forth with the boundary committee, the West Ada school board moved to adopt the proposed attendance lines as presented.
That committee has been working on the updated attendance areas for months. Tuesday night, West Ada trustees got the chance to ask questions about the boundary proposals for elementary, middle and high school students. They also heard public comment from concerned parents.
"We're looking for a long-term fix. Don't send them here to fill this school and then send them back here to fix this school. Just look at the map and figure out where the growth is going to be, send them where they should be and call it," said Shelly Hiner, the mother of an 8th-grade student in the district.
Hours of emotional parent testimony showed just what a heated issue this new attendance boundary proposal is for West Ada parents and students. Parents understand how hard it is to suit the needs of all families.
"Please take the opportunity now to fully develop a long-term plan to deal with growth methodically, logically and community-based so that communities are not torn apart in a free-for-all system," said Mark Fitzgerald, another parent.
West Ada officials say the goal of redrawing the school district's boundaries is to reduce overcrowding at schools, fill new schools that are under construction, and balance out enrollment. They say the process will also help address future growth in the district.