Communications regarding facility projects
June: We continue to explore elementary school options; parent input will be critical as we move forward
By Superintendent Marc Gee
As we bid farewell to another academic year and look forward to another summer, our district is preparing for another exciting new chapter. With our vision fixed firmly on the future, we are happy to share the strides we have made in developing potential plans for a new elementary school. This school would not only help alleviate the overcrowding we are facing in our district but also enhance our educational landscape and bring numerous benefits to our community, embodying the goals and aspirations we all share.
We have started the exploration phase of this process, touring a variety of elementary schools both within the Treasure Valley and beyond. These visits have been instrumental in helping us gather ideas and insights into educational facilities and pedagogical approaches. By learning from the successes of these institutions, we aim to design a school that will serve 21st-century learning and be equipped to provide our children with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
We are engaging in discussions with educators, parents, and community members, recognizing that your role is pivotal in shaping our new school. Your input over the last several years has been invaluable, serving as a guiding light as we mold our vision into a tangible plan. It is a collaborative effort, and every voice contributes to the blueprint of our future. As we move through the coming months, there will be several different options to offer your input.
Looking ahead, the school board is laying the groundwork for a bond election in May 2025. This crucial step will enable us to secure the funds necessary to build the elementary school we need. We look forward to working with you and answering your questions throughout the next year as we continue to try our best to offer a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for our students today and the students in Middleton for years to come.
Superintendent Marc Gee can be reached at mgee@msd134.org.
May: Middleton Schools will receive millions from Idaho’s new facilities legislation
Governor Brad Little delivered an end-of-the-school-year surprise in May when he presented a super-large check, representing the estimated amount of money Middleton Schools will receive from state funds thanks to state legislation designed to help cover facilities costs.
Middleton School District’s share of the $1.5 billion fund is estimated to be about $18,182,450.
Those funds can be used to offset current debt, cover repairs at schools or use to construct a new school building.
Governor Little revealed the promotional check during a Middleton Middle School student assembly. Local legislators, including Rep. Mike Moyle, the Idaho Speaker of the House, Rep. Bruce Skaug and Sen. Tammy Nichols, also attended with Board of Trustee Chair Pam Wagoner, Cindee Powell and Jay Clark.
Superintendent Gee discussed options with the Board in May and will develop a proposal for the board to consider in June once the district’s 10-year facilities plan and maintenance needs are updated.
February: From Superintendent Gee: Our schools are a function of the community, and should be seen as a public service
By Superintendent Marc Gee
Often, in Idaho, the schools are the largest employer in a given area. In Middleton we serve 4,400 students and employ 471 people and that doesn’t include substitutes and other volunteers. And even though we live near much larger school districts (West Ada, Vallivue, Nampa), the district can sometimes come across as more of a corporation than as a public service.
I would like to say to each of you: We don’t forget that we are a part of you. As we grow, we gain a large number of different perspectives on how communities, organizations, and schools should be run. That can be a challenge. But I know, as your school community, we are up to the task. We grow, learn, and adapt as a part of our Middleton community.
We are coming up on a number of decisions that must be made as a community, both in and out of the school system. On the school side, none is bigger than the decision to build an elementary school. As a district, over the next several months we are going to be looking to share information with you and ask for your feedback as we look at types of school design, potential school sites, and our future facility plans.
We encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to give feedback on surveys, at board meetings, in design forums, and just in our day-to-day interactions. We look forward to serving you!
Superintendent Marc Gee can be reached via email at mgee@msd134.org
Keep up on developments, find links on this web page.
- After extensive interviews and reviews of qualifications in early 2024, the Board of Trustees selected the architect and construction firms. They also chose the Architect and Construction Manager.
- Deploy patron survey to get feedback regarding construction and bonding; information from survey will be shared with the Design team
- Design Team will host an in-person forum to take input on elementary design
- Design Team will finalize the recommendation and present it to the school board
- School Board, Design Team, Construction Manager, will develop a cost estimate
- School Board will make a decision regarding election date and total dollar request for patron vote