Zone 4 Residents

It has been a pleasure to serve the Kuna community for five years on the school board. I look forward to continuing as the representative of Zone 4. I am committed to making sure that you are aware of what is happening at each of our board meetings by being transparent and sharing information through this new monthly report to patrons. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at knixon@kunaschools.org. I look forward to working with you as your representative on the Kuna School Board.

Below is a recap of the Dec. 14, 2021 meeting following the order of the agenda. The video of the meeting is posted here.

Idaho law allows for a meeting to be closed to the public to discuss specific topics. The Board met in executive session based on Idaho Code, Section §74-206(1)(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student.

Written communications from patrons. To be included in the board materials, communications must be received by noon the Friday before the regular meeting.

KHS Principal & District High School Coordinator Brian Graves introduced drama teacher Josh Rippy. Mr. Rippy shared that the school's program has been growing and that several students participated district and state competitions. He introduced KHS Senior Cora Abercrombie who performed her Solo Musical Theater piece "Waitress" for the the trustees. (Click the photo to watch her performance.)

Mr. Rippy shared that students will also participate in the first Idaho Theater Area Awards and may have the opportunity to travel to New York. In addition, some students will have the opportunity this week to meet with performers from Hamilton, which is in Boise this month.

KHS students who qualified for state competition included: Aaron Ayers, Hayden Stephan, Cora Abercrombie, Jordan Herring, Sasha McCoy, Jacob Quigley, Avery Quigley, Devon Andreasen, Elizabeth White, and Nick Gill.

Four students advanced to semi-finals: Cora Abercrombie, Hayden Stephan, Nick Gill and Aaron Ayers. Aaron Ayers advanced to the finals.

Trustees recognized outgoing Zone 3 Trustee Sallie McArthur with the Kuna Way Award.

Superintendent Johnson and her team are reporting to the Board how our schools are supporting students whose learning was impacted by COVID disruptions. The reports include how federal learning loss funds are being used. In addition to daily intervention time, Kuna & Swan Falls high schools are using academic and behavioral supports shared in the video below.

High School Coordinator Brian Graves and Career Technical Education Administrator Mike Weidenfeld provided an annual report on the district's CTE programs.

The Board approved its Consent Agenda including the following:

1. November 9, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes
2. Accounts Payable
3. Personnel Report
4. School Financials
5. Budget Status Report
6. Trip Requests
7. Project Tracker
8. Community Development Tracker
9. Early Graduation Requests
10. Purchase equipment for COVID testing program (approved by H&W grant)

The delegation section is an opportunity for patrons to provide information or public comment to the Board at its meeting. The Board Chairman determines whether the agenda for the meeting can accommodate delegations and he will set the time allowed.

Vice-Chairman Joy Thomas and I attended the Idaho School Boards Association Conference (ISBA) in November. Trustee Thomas is serving in a leadership role in ISBA as the chair of Region III and participated in many activities in that role at the conference. I attended several workshops by Attorney Amy White reviewing new federal laws and legal issues facing school districts.

Communication Director Allison Westfall shared that the first monthly trustee newsletters will be sent to parents Monday. Ms. Westfall shared a proposal for engaging the community in January and April on specific topics related to the proposed strategic plan and in the fall on a topic to be determined.

Assistant Superintendent Dave Reinhart updated the Board on meetings he and I have had with city leaders about new housing developments. I shared that there is interest in a joint meeting for trustees and city leaders with legal counsel to train on development approval processes. As a result of the conversations Mr. Reinhart shared the district will change its approach to growth. He said the district will develop an Education Impact Study that will be submitted on projects. In addition, district staff will attend City Council meetings to provide testimony. It was noted that the district has no authority to stop developments; however, it can provide detailed information about the impact on the schools and school taxes. Part of the district's approach that won't change is asking developer to help reduce the impact of growth by donating land for schools or providing other support to offset costs.

The Board declared:

• Kyrsti Bruce elected for Zone 3 Trustee
• I was elected for Zone 4 Trustee

Mrs. Bruce and I were elected to four-year terms which begin January 1, 2022

Trustees approved the use of the Advanced Opportunities program to expand drivers' education opportunities for Kuna students.

Assistant Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl thanked Kuna parent Melanie Phillips for bringing this idea forward and for working with her to complete research to inform the Board's decision.

Mrs. Bekkedahl shared that in order for the district to expand the program, more drivers' education teachers need to be hired and additional vehicles purchased. The goal is to have this option available for the 2022-23 school year, possibly this summer.

The approval means students who meet specific criteria can use state Advanced Opportunities money to pay for driver's education. Some of the criteria include: the student must be a full-time student (6 of 8 classes); the driver's education course must be an "overload" course be taken outside the regular school day (summer, morning, or evening), the student; the student hasn't failed a previous Advanced Opportunities course, etc.

Trustees approved a five-year agreement between the school district and the Boys and Girls Club of Ada Inc. to operate the Kuna Boys and Girls Club at the 4th Street Gym. In addition, the Club has secured a grant to make improvements including adding a playground at the site.

Each month, a trustee newsletter recapping the regular Board meeting will be sent to residents in their zones. This recap is to provide timely information about the meeting and does not replace the official minutes.