West Ada Board Votes 5-0 to Close McMillan Elementary After Next Year

The West Ada School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to close McMillan Elementary School in West Boise. The board approved the closure 5-0, effective at the end of the 2026-27 school year. This means the school will operate through this academic year but will no longer serve students in the 2027-28 school year.

District officials stated the decision is driven by declining enrollment numbers. They described the closure as a necessary step to use district resources efficiently. Superintendent Derek Bub said the board considered the operational realities of the district when making the call. He noted that maintaining the school is no longer sustainable given the current student population.

Approximately 140 students in kindergarten through fourth grade will be affected by the closure. The district said school staff and leaders will work directly with families to manage the transition. The goal is to ensure these students continue to receive quality educational opportunities without straining the district's budget with unnecessary spending.

Parents and students have previously spoken out against the closure, according to reports from Idaho News 6. The community has expressed concern over the impact on local families. However, the board proceeded with the vote, citing the need for long-term financial responsibility.

Superintendent Derek Bub acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision in a press release. He described McMillan as a community shaped by generations of students, families, and educators. Bub said the district understands that the building represents much more than just a structure. He added that the district's commitment to the McMillan community remains strong despite the operational challenges.

The district is currently developing a recommendation for attendance boundaries. This plan will determine where McMillan students will attend school starting in the 2027-28 year. Families will have the opportunity to review the proposal and provide feedback before a final decision is made.

The closure is part of a larger review of attendance boundaries in the southern portion of the district. The district is looking to balance student enrollment and reduce overcrowding at other schools. It is also planning for the opening of the new Lake Hazel Elementary School in the 2027-28 school year.

Initial boundary maps are available on the district's website. These maps are preliminary and may change based on public input. The proposal could affect attendance boundaries for approximately 795 students across the district. The affected schools include Chaparral, Desert Sage, Hillsdale, Lake Hazel, Mary McPherson, Meridian, Peregrine, Siena, and Silver Sage elementary schools.

The proposal also includes Lake Hazel Middle and Victory Middle, as well as Centennial High and Mountain View High. District planning committees will review at least three proposals in phases. Each version will include additional analysis and feedback from the community.

David Reinhart, the district's chief operations officer, said school boundaries represent students, families, and friendships. He emphasized the need to listen to the families affected by these changes. Reinhart encouraged everyone to take part in the process to ensure the district makes responsible use of its facilities.

Under Board Policy 0714.00, the district considers several factors when making boundary decisions. These include student safety, the ability to walk to school, and limiting the number of students affected by changes. The district also looks at balancing enrollment, keeping friend groups together, and planning for future residential growth.

A proposal covering both the southern and eastern portions of the district is expected to go before the school board in January. The planning committees will continue meeting to refine their recommendations. The board is expected to vote on a final recommendation in February.