2024-2025 superintendent's welcome - empowering minds, ensuring excellence

Welcome Back, West Ada Staff, Students, and Families! 

As we stand on the threshold of the 2024-2025 school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the incredible journey that lies ahead. Our theme for this year, Empowering Minds, Ensuring Excellence, perfectly captures the essence of what we strive to achieve every day in the West Ada School District. 

To our dedicated staff, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the hard work and preparation that has gone into getting ready for this new school year. You are the heart of our district, and your commitment to creating a nurturing and challenging learning environment for our students is truly inspiring. This year, we will continue to focus on empowering our students' minds by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration in every classroom. Your passion for education and unwavering support for our students ensure that excellence is not just a goal but a reality in our schools. 

To our amazing students, I want you to know how proud I am of each and every one of you. You are the reason we are here, and your growth and success are at the center of all that we do. This year, we will challenge you to think big, dream boldly, and work hard. We are here to support you every step of the way, and we believe in your potential to achieve greatness. Remember, empowering your mind means embracing new challenges, asking questions, and never being afraid to learn something new. We are committed to ensuring that you have the tools, resources, and encouragement you need to excel in all areas of your life. 

To our supportive families, thank you for being our partners in education. Your involvement and encouragement are critical to your child's success, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. This year, as we focus on empowering minds and ensuring excellence, we invite you to join us in this journey by staying engaged with your child's education, supporting our schools, and communicating openly with our teachers and staff. Together, we can create a powerful support system that helps every student reach their fullest potential. 

As we embark on this new school year, let us remember that education is not just about academics; it’s about preparing our students for life – college and career ready. It’s about teaching them to be compassionate, thoughtful, and engaged citizens who will make a positive impact on the world. In West Ada, we are committed to not only empowering minds but also nurturing hearts and building character. 

Thank you for being a part of the West Ada community. Let’s make the 2024-2025 school year one of growth, achievement, and excellence—together. 

Here's to a fantastic school year ahead! 

Warm regards, 

Dr. Derek Bub 
Superintendent of Schools, West Ada School District 

Kicking Off the 2024-25 School Year:
As the new school year begins, Dr. Bub recently took the time to discuss all the latest developments in West Ada. In this conversation, he touches on everything from impressive test scores and outstanding teachers to new policies and the challenges ahead. We encourage you to watch the full video, but if you're looking for specific topics, here's a list of what was covered and where you can find them…

Empowering Minds, Ensuring Excellence:
Dr. Steven Kurtz was honored as one of West Ada's Rookie of the Year teachers this past May. Before joining Owyhee High School as a science teacher, Dr. Kurtz had a distinguished 25-year career as a successful surgeon in Las Vegas. After retiring and relocating to the Treasure Valley, he embarked on a new journey, driven by his passion for science and a desire to inspire students. In his first year, he has already made a remarkable impact, and this unconventional "novice" educator is poised to Empower Minds and Ensure Excellence as he enters his second year.