West Ada Board to Decide McMillan Elementary Fate Nov. 9
Dozens of parents and neighbors urged trustees to keep the West Boise school open despite a projected enrollment drop to 121 students by 2031.
By Justin Brooks ·
The West Ada School District Board of Trustees will make a final decision on the future of McMillan Elementary School on Nov. 9. No vote was taken during a public meeting held Monday evening in West Boise, where community members voiced their opposition to closing the campus.
District officials presented financial projections indicating that maintaining McMillan Elementary would cost more than $5.4 million over the next decade. The school currently serves approximately 178 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Enrollment at the campus has declined by roughly 62% over the past ten years.
Miranda Carson, the district’s director of transportation and planning, told trustees that the current boundary model predicts continued enrollment drops. Carson stated that student numbers are projected to fall to 121 by 2031. If the board approves decommissioning the building, it would be the first elementary school closure in the district’s history.
More than a dozen residents, including current students, parents, and former staff members, testified during Monday’s session. Many argued that the school provides essential stability and academic support for its remaining students.
One current student told the board that McMillan is the best elementary school they have attended, citing the quality of the teaching staff. A parent described their children as thriving under the current support systems, expressing confidence that the students would outperform demographic statistics if the school remains open.
A parent who also serves as the school librarian urged the board to ensure that shutting down the facility is in the best interest of both the district and the students. Another community member praised the faculty and staff, noting the outstanding care provided to the children.
Parents have been asked to email communicate@westada.org to share their feedback. One parent specifically requested that the board vote against closure on Nov. 9, citing the academic success of children currently enrolled at the campus.
Source: KIVI-TV · original report published
