🎙️ Opening the Doors to Independence Elementary | Back-to-School with Dr. Bub

It's time to kick off the new school year with a special on-location edition of the West Ada Podcast!

We're coming to you from Independence Elementary, West Ada's newest school, as it prepares to welcome students for the very first time.

Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub joins us to discuss the exciting opening of West Ada's 60th school, along with several new initiatives designed to strengthen communication between our schools and families this year.

We also celebrate something that hasn't changed—West Ada's continued commitment to academic excellence. Once again, our students are leading the way in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Dr. Bub shares what these results mean and how our educators continue to build on that success.  You can read more here.

Plus, for the first time ever, our Student Pulse segment features elementary students! Independence Principal Jeff Christopherson sits down with five future Ospreys to hear what they're most excited about as they prepare to open their brand-new school.

Interested in a specific topic? Jump to the chapters below:
2:20 Welcome Dr. Bub
2:35 The building of our 60th school- Independence Elementary
4:20 Addressing growth
7:50 Staying focused on fiscal responsibility
9:50 More CTE opportunities
14:00 Academic success
16:15 Celebrating dedicated teachers and staff
17:30 Academic focus for 2026-27
19:10 Beneficial new policies & procedures
22:00 Streamlining communication practices
23:45 Importance of student voice
25:00 Simplifying registration for Activities & Athletics
26:30 Sharing student praise
31:00 What excites us in West Ada
32:35 The Osprey Way!

📚 Get ready for the first day of school with our Back-to-School Guide

🎟️ Learn more about the West Ada Fall Fundraiser