Costs increase on West Ada elementary school project

The costs are rising on a collaborative elementary school project in the West Ada School District.

The Hillsdale Elementary School project will carry a $14.3 million price tag, above the $10 million originally budgeted from a voter-approved bond issue, Meridian Press reported Monday.

Meridian Library
The Hillsdale elementary school project

News of the cost increase came out during a Sept. 15 trustees’ meeting — and school board member Russell Joki said he heard about the rising price tag from the construction community.

The Hillsdale project was part of a $96 million bond issue voters approved in March.

The district says much of the increase can be attributed to the cost of extending roads and utilities to the south Meridian school site, Meridian Press reported. Savings on other projects should cover the increase on Hillsdale, Meridian Press reported.

West Ada plans to open Hillsdale next school year, but some question marks still surround the project. The Meridian Library District will go before voters Nov. 3 seeking a $12 million bond issue which includes funding for a library at the Hillsdale site. The Treasure Valley Family YMCA is raising $20 million for a facility that would be built near the school.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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