Beyond the Bell - October 2026 - Strong Partnerships Build Strong Communities

Strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand. Boise School District, our commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom, reflecting our belief that public schools are not just part of a community, they are essential partners in helping it thrive.

Throughout the year, District leaders, educators, and staff work alongside local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community groups on initiatives that support students and families while contributing to the well-being of our entire community.

These relationships take many forms, from improving student safety and expanding opportunities for families to lending our voice and expertise to important community conversations.

Our ongoing collaboration with Ada County Highway District (ACHD) and its Safe Routes to School initiatives reflects our shared commitment to helping students travel safely to and from school. By working together on transportation planning, pedestrian safety, and neighborhood accessibility, we help create safer environments for students and community members alike.

In addition to her work with ACHD and Safe Routes to Schools, our Transportation Supervisor, Lanette Daw, also serves on the City of Boise’s E-Mobility Task Force. Given the increasing prevalence of e-bikes and e-scooters as an alternative form of transportation, the task force plays a key role in developing programs to ensure our public spaces are safe for everyone.

Strong partnerships also help connect students and families with resources and opportunities that extend beyond what schools can provide alone.

Through initiatives such as BroncoBOLD and collaborations with local nonprofit organizations like Communities for Youth, the Speedy Foundation, and the Youth Mental Wellness Alliance (You.Me.We.All), we work with community partners to support student well-being, strengthen family connections, and expand access to valuable services.

District leaders and staff also serve on numerous non-profit boards. Through participation with organizations such as the St. Luke’s Community Health Board, American Red Cross, Idaho Public Television, the Boise Chamber of Commerce, Boise City Parks & Recreation Board, and City Club of Boise, our employees contribute their experience and perspectives to conversations that shape the future of our region.

This involvement is about more than representing the interests of our schools. It reflects our responsibility to be an engaged community partner, helping address shared challenges, identify opportunities, and strengthen the connections between public education and the broader community.

District leaders and staff also serve on numerous non-profit boards. Through participation with organizations such as the St. Luke’s Community Health Board, American Red Cross, Idaho Public Television, the Boise Chamber of Commerce, Boise City Parks & Recreation Board, and City Club of Boise, our employees contribute their experience and perspectives to conversations that shape the future of our region.

This involvement is about more than representing the interests of our schools. It reflects our responsibility to be an engaged community partner, helping address shared challenges, identify opportunities, and strengthen the connections between public education and the broader community.

For 40 years, the Boise Public Schools Foundation has helped turn community generosity into meaningful opportunities for Boise School District students, families, and educators. As the Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary this week, we extend our congratulations and heartfelt appreciation for four decades of partnership and dedication to public education.

Since its founding in 1986, the Foundation has raised nearly $52 million to support Boise Schools, helping remove barriers to student success, encourage classroom innovation, and connect our schools with the broader community.

During their presentation to the Boise School District Board of Trustees on October 12, Foundation Vice President Jill Aldape and Executive Director Jennifer Henderson spoke about the countless ways the Foundation’s impact can be seen in our classrooms:

As the Foundation marks this milestone, it is also looking toward the future with an ambitious $3 million anniversary fundraising goal focused on supporting students, empowering educators, and enriching our schools.

The Boise Schools Foundation exemplifies what makes our community special: a shared belief that strong public schools contribute to a thriving community. We congratulate the Foundation's leadership, board members, donors, volunteers, and supporters on 40 remarkable years — and thank them for helping generations of Boise students reach higher and go further.

Planning for the future of Boise's schools requires more than evaluating enrollment trends, educational programs, and facilities. It requires listening to the families, students, staff, and community members who care deeply about our public schools and the neighborhoods they serve.

That commitment to collaboration was on full display at the October 21 meeting of Boise School District's Long Range Facilities Master Planning Community Task Force, where members reviewed results from the District's Fall Community Survey and continued examining potential scenarios for the future.

Community participation in the planning process has been significant. More than 3,350 people responded to the fall survey, contributing nearly 5,200 written comments — almost four times the participation in the District's spring survey.

The feedback provided valuable insight into community priorities, including strong interest in preserving neighborhood schools, maintaining reasonable travel distances for students, and keeping established school pathways together. Respondents also expressed varying levels of support for potential changes to grade configurations, school attendance boundaries, and the use of existing facilities.

With these perspectives in mind, the Task Force continued examining how different approaches might affect students, families, educational opportunities, and the long-term sustainability of our schools. Discussions included the potential advantages and trade-offs of different grade configurations, addressing enrollment imbalances, and balancing the value of neighborhood schools with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.

The process is deliberately designed to explore options, understand their implications, and incorporate community feedback before recommendations are finalized.

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure Boise School District can continue providing exceptional educational opportunities for generations to come, while remaining responsive to the needs and priorities of the community we serve.

We are grateful to the Task Force members and thousands of community members who have invested their time, shared their perspectives, and helped shape this important conversation. Their engagement reflects a shared commitment to the future of Boise's public schools and reinforces our belief that the best path forward is one we develop together.

We want to ensure messages from our district are clear, accessible, and useful to you. This short survey will help us understand whether our communications are reaching you, making sense, and prompting the right actions when needed. This survey should take about 3-4 minutes. The survey will close at noon on Wednesday,  November 4, 2026. 

Thank you for your input!

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