Save The Boise Schools

Dr. Olson’s call to move to more of a 400-600 (# of students) school size model would not only affect the schools below. If you are a neighboring school, your school could be enlarged to accommodate students from a closed school. Please let school board trustees hear your concerns now, before it’s too late!

Start by writing an email to the people listed below. Tell them what you (the taxpayer) want. Don't put off tomorrow what you might not get a chance to do!

Just copy and paste the email addresses in the box below into your email program.

The next meeting is Wednesday, Mar. 30th, @ 7pm, in the Washington elementary school cafeteria at 1607 N. 15th.

Read KTVB's news story about the fate of older Boise schools (requires registration ... free).

Idea of closing school turns dad into an activist

Pete Radice never wrote a letter to a politician. Never marched in a demonstration or went house to house handing out flyers.

"I'm a pretty private guy," he said.

Not any more.

Radice, a stay-at- home dad with three kids, is up to his neck in a fight to kick Washington Elementary off a Boise School District list of possible school closures.

He is part of an emerging group of Boise parents who are stepping up to make sure their schools don't close. Their schools are the core of their neighborhoods and their families' lives, Radice said.

"I think the neighborhood school is a focal point for any strong neighborhood," Radice said. "It goes with the whole idea of protecting existing neighborhoods."

Boise School District is sketching out plans for a boundary-to-boundary overhaul of school buildings that could include closing Hillside Junior High, and Monroe, Pierce Park and Washington elementaries. The schools have low enrollment and are costly to operate, district officials say. No decisions have been made, and public meetings on options for schools are planned today and Thursday.

Article courtesy of the Idaho Statesman ... read more

Have your say on future of Boise schools

Disbelief swept over Toni Ramey when she opened her newspaper a couple of Sundays ago to discover that Washington Elementary School, where her two kids go, could be closed.

What are School District people thinking, she wanted to know.

She was aware Boise School District was looking at plans for improving its aging buildings, most of which are more than 40 years old. But Ramey wanted to know "how it got to this point in the process without any of us knowing anything about it."

Washington, in Boise's North End, is one of four schools under consideration for closure.

Boise School District is embarking on a plan that could improve school buildings from Trail Wind Elementary in southeast Boise to Shadow Hills in the western part of town.

At least 13 buildings, including three junior highs and 10 elementaries, are under consideration for replacement or reorganization. More schools could undergo major renovations, including Fairmont Junior High, which could get a new gym and possibly more classrooms.

The district hopes to come up with a 10-year master plan for its buildings by spring, and perhaps go to voters for a school bond in September to begin its building improvement plan. Total project costs could be as high as $230 million. The district could ask for a bond of up to $150 million.

Article courtesy of the Idaho Statesman ... read more

Ouch!!! These Boise Schools Could Be On The Chopping Block Next!

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