The best moves for new school

Recently I realized that once again District 271 is interested in trading with the City of Hayden for this historic school. When it was built in 1936 it was in a rural location, as the population had not yet engulfed it. Now it sits in the heart of downtown Hayden.

Years ago Hayden Meadows Elementary was built to “replace” the old school. Then, almost 15 years ago, a trade was struck between the City of Hayden and District 271 to build Atlas Elementary School. In an unfortunate turn of events, the district reneged on the deal, but Atlas was built to replace the old school.

Since then the school has housed a kindergarten center and now houses Northwest Expedition Academy. The school district passed a bond to replace the school, again, and now we are at the same crossroad (a term that is quite ironic given that this school literally sits in the crossroad of two of the busiest streets in Hayden) that we have been in twice before.

The issue in my mind is that both the City of Hayden residents and District 271 residents who live in Hayden are one and the same. Yet, each “little kingdom” of a taxing entity is not looking out for the best interest of the residents, but rather their own entity. I think it is imperative that we speak up and help both entities realize that we want them to do right by all in Hayden.

In my opinion it is vital that the City of Hayden acquire that piece of property and the historic school building, as it is at the main intersection in town. It is in a commercial corridor and is needed for a senior center and community center. It would help build a viable and vital downtown which has been the vision of the community (a well vetted one) for as long as I have been involved with the city (more than 25 years). It is NOT the right spot to build another elementary school behind the current one!

Hayden Meadows Elementary is 1/2-mile from the old Hayden Lake Elementary. Near the old school there is a restaurant/pub across the street, a convenience store cater cornered, and to the west the corner is actively being recruited for a commercial development by the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency. The traffic in this area is enormous. The city has plans to reconfigure and upgrade the west side of Hayden Avenue in the next few years. It simply is not the right place for a new school to be built.

Growth in the City of Hayden is mostly north and west of the school. Building a new school in a more residential location where the new growth is happening is much more desirable than bussing children to a location in the heart of a commercial zone in the middle of town.

Please consider contacting your Hayden City Council Members and Mayor, and District 271 Board Members to voice your opinion.

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Nancy Taylor Lowery is a former Hayden City Council Member.