McMillan Elementary to close after 2026-27 school year as West Ada Board votes 5-0
Superintendent cites enrollment trends and resource efficiency as the district prepares to move roughly 140 students to other campuses.
By Lucas Collins ·
The West Ada School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday evening to close McMillan Elementary School in West Boise at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The 5-0 decision follows a period of declining enrollment and aims to ensure efficient use of district resources.
Approximately 140 students in kindergarten through fourth grade are impacted by the closure. Superintendent Derek Bub acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision in a press release, describing McMillan as a community shaped by generations of students and educators. He stated that while operational realities necessitate the change, the district remains committed to supporting all affected families and employees through the transition.
The closure is part of a wider effort to balance enrollment across the district. The district is currently soliciting public feedback on proposed attendance boundary changes in the southern portion of West Ada. These changes are designed to reduce overcrowding and better utilize available classroom space, including the new Lake Hazel Elementary School scheduled to open in the 2027-28 school year.
The initial proposal could affect attendance boundaries for approximately 795 students. The plan includes elementary schools such as Chaparral, Desert Sage, Hillsdale, Mary McPherson, Meridian, Peregrine, Siena, and Silver Sage. Middle schools Lake Hazel Middle and Victory, along with high schools Centennial and Mountain View, are also included in the review process. Planning committees will develop and review at least three proposals in phases, incorporating additional analysis and community feedback.
Families of McMillan students will have the opportunity to review an attendance boundary recommendation before a final decision is made in February. The district plans to hold community forums and distribute surveys to gather input. Chief Operations Officer David Reinhart emphasized that school boundaries represent more than lines on a map, noting that they define friendships and community connections. He encouraged residents to participate in the process to ensure the district listens to those affected.
The board will consider several factors in its final decision, including student safety, the number of students affected, and the ability to keep friend groups together. The district is also factoring in future residential growth and avoiding multiple school changes for individual students. A proposal covering both the southern and eastern portions of the district is expected to go before the school board in January for feedback. Planning committees are expected to present a final recommendation to the board for a vote in February.
The district stated that initial boundary maps are available on its website. These maps are preliminary and may change based on public feedback and additional planning. The board's vote to close McMillan was the first major step in a multi-phase process intended to align facility usage with current and projected student populations.
