News & Media on the West Ada Plant Facilities Levy

On May 16, residents of West Ada School District will vote on a Plant Facilities Levy (PFL). There is A LOT to understand to be an informed voter. To help, Superintendent Dr. Bub takes us on a tour of Lake Hazel Middle School to show the need and explain the details.

Listen, we get it, this video is long. To assist, below is a list of the topics that Dr. Bub covers and the time you can jump to in the video to learn more. You can also take a deeper dive into the data he references by visiting WestAda.org/PFL. Thank you in advance for being willing to educate yourself on the need facing our community and for exercising your civic opportunity to vote.

  • 0:00 – The Scale of West Ada

  • 0:45 – Why District Schools Need to be Improved

  • 1:51 – You can literally HEAR the Need

  • 2:48 – Testing and Per Pupil Funding – How West Ada Compares to Neighboring Districts

  • 4:09 – What West Ada Voters Have Asked For and Need

  • 4:57 – Why the Plant Facilities Levy Makes Economic Sense

  • 6:21 – A Rundown of the Major Projects

  • 7:44 – All 58 Schools will be Addressed

  • 8:00 – What Happens when Ceilings Fall

  • 8:26 – ADA Accessibility and Play Areas

  • 8:47 – Addressing Growth

  • 10:09 – How CTE Programs Impact Learning and Opportunity

  • 11:57 – Tiny Homes and the Direct Benefits to our Community

  • 12:27 – The Early Childhood Learning Center

  • 12:48 – Comparing Our Tax Burden to Neighboring Districts

  • 13:34 – The Tax Impact of the Plant Facilities Levy

  • 14:57 – Maintaining Transparency for Voters

  • 15:32 – Educate not Advocate

CTE focus on Plant Facilities Levy:

Public Testimony from February 27, 2023:

“Between our academic excellence, our CTE programs, our schools of choice, you’re not going to get a finer value for the tax rate that you’re paying right now."

Dr. Derek Bub  

   Superintendent, WASD

"Star Elementary School, over the past decade, has seen its numbers go up from more people moving to the area. And if the trend continues, the school could see higher classroom numbers negatively impacting students."

Isaiah Sharp  

   Idaho News 6 (KIVI)

"We want a very safe environment for our kids. So having good facilities and safe facilities is so important for our students, but also for our teachers as well."

Teal Price  

   Meridian Elementary School teacher

"Plant levy facilities projects can address a building’s systems, such as air conditioning, HVAC and plumbing, or its physical structures, such as the windows, restrooms, kitchens and gyms. Plant facilities levy money must be used for school construction and improvement. Legally, it cannot be used for operational expenses, salaries or anything else."

KIVI Staff  

   Idaho News 6

“The Plant Facilities Levy is another opportunity for our community to support West Ada students. If we are all in for our kids, there’s no doubt that there will be a return on investment, whether it’s in the form of high academic achievement, a stronger workforce, or graduates that stay in the community they grew up in and pay it forward.”

Dr. Derek Bub  

   Superintendent, WASD

"We are committed to avoiding future facility-related plant facility levies and bonds for the next ten years."

Dr. Derek Bub  

   Superintendent, WASD

"I’m grateful for the district's diligence in addressing these needs."

Lori Frasure  

   Board Chair, WASD

"In West Ada, packed classes, potholes in hallways, and safety concerns are among the issues driving the plant facilities levy talks."

Carly Flandro  

   Idaho Ed News