The West Ada School District #2, long known as the Meridian School District, is a school district based in Meridian, Idaho. In addition to Meridian, the district operates public schools in Eagle, Star and western Boise. It is the largest school district in Idaho.[3] In 2025, the district received widespread attention for banning "Everyone is welcome here" posters that depicted children's hands in all skin colors.
In June 2014, the district board of trustees voted to change the common name of the district, previously known as the Meridian School District, to West Ada School District. The official name, Joint School District No. 2, remains unchanged.[4]
District information
The West Ada School District educates more than 35,000 students in 49 schools over an area of 382 square miles (990km2). The district has grown by more than 5,000 students in the last five years. West Ada School District schools range in enrollment from 100 to over 2,000 students. School buildings vary in age with the oldest being more than 50 years old.[citation needed][when?]
The district extends into Canyon County, where it includes portions of Nampa and Star.[6] West Ada School District announced its plans to move forward with building a second elementary school in Star.[7]
Governance
The district is administered by a five-member Board of Trustees elected by voters residing within the district's boundaries.[8] Each of the five trustees represent specific geographic zones in the district.[9] They receive no salaries or benefits and are elected to a four-year term.[8]
1945 - School districts reorganized to reduce 1,082 school districts in Idaho to 301 districts.
1950 - District named "Class A School District No. 2."
1963 - The District’s name was officially changed to its current name, "Joint School District No. 2."
2005 - Total enrollment for the district reached over 30,000.
2007 - The district moved into its new offices, consolidating seven different office locations.
2014 - Colloquial name changed from "Meridian School District" to "West Ada School District."
"Everyone is welcome here" controversy
In March 2025, West Ada School District administrators asked a teacher to remove a classroom poster deemed in violation of District Policy[11] requiring all displays be "content neutral". The poster had hung for several years and read "Everyone is welcome here" with depictions of children's hands of all skin colors. The teacher refused to do so, and challenged the District's decision on a local news station.[12]
In May 2025, after accepting a position with the Boise School District, the teacher resigned from the West Ada School District and removed the signs, pledging to put them up in her new classroom.[13]. The poster was deemed by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador in June of 2025 to be in violation of Idaho State Law 33-143 prohibiting controversial displays on public school property.[14]. In February of 2026, the teacher filed a federal lawsuit claiming violation of First Amendment rights.[15] The lawsuit is currently pending before David Nye in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho.
Superintendents
Superintendents
Years
L.A. Thomas
1950–1953
Roy G. Denton
1953–1963
J. Lowell Scott
1964–1973
August M. Hein
1973–1985
Nick Hallett
1985–1992
Bob L. Haley
1992–1998
Christine H. Donnell
1998–2004
Linda Clark
2004–2015
Mary Ann Ranells
2016–2021
Derek Bub
2021–Present
High schools
There are currently seven high schools and six alternative schools in the district, five of which are classified 5A by the Idaho High School Activities Association.
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