West Ada School District trustees voted unanimously Monday to move forward with construction on two major facilities projects: a complete replacement of Lake Hazel Elementary School in Boise and the transformation of a former industrial warehouse into a career and technical education center.
The school board granted authorization for design work, contractor bidding, and project development to begin immediately on both sites. District officials set an ambitious target of opening both facilities by fall 2027.
Addressing Enrollment Pressures on Boise’s South Side
Although West Ada has experienced overall enrollment declines recently, certain areas within the expansive district continue to see rapid growth and classroom crowding. District leaders previously addressed capacity issues on the west side with Independence Elementary, which welcomed students this fall in Star.
Now the district is turning attention to the south side by replacing Lake Hazel Elementary. To streamline the process and reduce expenses, West Ada will replicate the architectural plans used for Independence Elementary, according to Dave Reinhart, the district’s director of education services.
Reinhart outlined an accelerated construction schedule that would see the new Lake Hazel building completed in approximately one year. He told trustees the district aims to break ground quickly and have the school ready for students in fall 2027.
Trustee Rene Ozuna voiced support for the project while questioning whether backup plans exist given the compressed timeline. She expressed surprise at the prospect of completing a school building in just 12 months.
Reinhart responded that the district has communicated the schedule expectations clearly to architects and contractors, and that meeting the deadline will be written into contract requirements. He added that contingency measures will remain in place.
Trustee David Binetti said he felt confident in the timeline, noting that West Ada already tested the process with Independence Elementary. Reusing the same building plans should improve quality while saving time, he said.
Warehouse Conversion Will House Multiple Trade Programs
The second approved project will convert a 70,000-square-foot metal warehouse into classroom and laboratory space for career and technical education students. West Ada purchased the building from a lumber broker last year for $12.8 million.
The structure includes office space in front and two large vacant warehouse areas in back. District plans call for transforming those spaces into a powersports lab, construction lab, 60 welding stations, and multiple classrooms.
The new facility will accommodate students enrolled in welding, automotive mechanics, residential construction, early childhood education, and other CTE programs.
Initial construction estimates reached $16.5 million, but cost-reduction efforts brought the base price down to $12.8 million, Reinhart said. The district has the option to add classroom and lab space that would increase the total to $13.8 million.
What Comes Next
Board Chair Lori Frasure called the CTE project exciting and said it will create opportunities for students while providing valuable options to the community.
District staff will bring final pricing and contracts to the board this fall before construction begins on the CTE campus. Both the elementary school and the career and technical education building are scheduled to open in fall 2027.
According to a district press release issued Tuesday, West Ada will complete both projects without raising property taxes. Funding sources include House Bill 521, which established a $1 billion school modernization fund in 2024, along with the district’s strategic financial planning reserves.
Trustees will review final contracts and cost figures at a meeting later this fall before ground breaking begins on either site.