Friday, April 14, 2006

Waldorf School prevails in court

Pre-school and kindergarten programs to begin in fall

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Katharine Woods, left, met with Dale Bates of Living Architecture Tuesday to plan a Waldorf School campus, north of Bellevue. Named The Mountain School, the education includes a hands on, nature-based curriculum. Photo by Willy Cook

The way has been cleared for Katharine Woods to begin a Waldorf School to be called The Mountain School at 100 Mustang Lane, just north of Bellevue on the west side of Highway 75. Over a year ago Woods sorted out access and parking concerns on the two-acre parcel for the school, receiving approval for a conditional use permit. But, plans to open last fall were thwarted by a court appeal of the permit filed by the Flying Hat Ranch, Woods' neighbor to the west and north.

Ruling from the bench in late January, Fifth District Court Judge Robert Elgee rejected the appeal that argued that the school was incompatible with the agricultural nature of the neighbor. Flying Hat Ranch had 30 days to take the appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court but failed to do so, according to court records.

As it stands, Woods has begun preparing the land and grounds for the planned renovation, which includes construction of a greenhouse attached to the schoolroom and a school house with solar, energy efficient components and the use of healthy alternative building materials being designed by Dale Bates' Living Architecture.

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The Mountain School's curriculum will incorporate organic farming and gardening and new approaches to "green" building design, which Living Architecture is offering free of charge. The disciplines of sustainable farming and "green" living are tied closely to the Waldorf philosophy of nature-based education.

One way to learn more about Waldorf Education is to tune into Woods' column "The Window" in the Spirit of the Valley publication.

To help catch up on Woods' year-old schedule, she and others involved with the school will be offering introductory seminars and work parties for parents and children to begin to learn about the school. Postings about upcoming events and more information about the school is available on the Web site, themountainschool.info or by calling Katharine Woods at 208-788-3170.