D93 Family Update

What a fantastic first week of school.

It is always incredible to see the level of collaboration that happens on the first day of school, as school buses pick thousands of students up across more than 100 square miles and bring them to 24 different schools and into the classrooms of more than 600 different teachers. It was so great to see kids in the classrooms and actively engaged in learning this week.

On Wednesday, as my wife and I left our two oldest girls behind at a college four hours away, I felt first hand how hard it can be to trust your children into someone else's care. Driving away from them and telling ourselves they would be okay was tough to say the least.

I recognize that is the trust you put into our hands every day when your kids climb onto a school bus, or ride their bikes or drive their cars away from home to our schools. Thank you for the trust and support you give us each day.

On Tuesday, D93 patrons voted to approve our bond to a build a new elementary school. This school will add much needed classrooms, preserve our all-day kindergarten program, and provide space for our students with significant disabilities. Thank you so much for your support.

I also recognize that 30% of voters said no to paying for the new elementary school. I recognize that many people are concerned with the affordability of new taxes. Last year, our Board voted to use funds in our bond savings account to provide our residents with a one-time $6 million reduction in their property taxes. This year, and going forward, HB 292 will provide our patrons with approximately $5 million in ongoing property tax reductions. That amount will not only cover our $2.2 million in annual payments for this bond, it will also pay almost $3 million toward other bonds.

I would strongly encourage those who voted no because of their frustration with paying more in property taxes to share their concerns with our legislators. The constitutional duty to establish a uniform and thorough system of public schools must include funding to actually build the schools necessary to provide our students' education.

• 4240 Parental Rights
  
• 3050 Attendance
  
• 4165 Parent Involvement
• 2140 Student and Family Privacy Rights
• 2340 Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom

The Board of Trustees would like to thank those who took the time to vote on Tuesday. This new elementary school will help address the continuous growth in our district. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The district qualified for an Emergency Levy of more than $2 million this year based on the increase in our student attendance from last year to this year. However, the District administration recommended to the Board to not authorize this additional tax collection. The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to not authorize a tax collection for the Emergency Levy. This will be the fourth year in a row that the district has not authorized the Emergency Levy.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 6:00 p.m. Executive Session, 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting - District Board Room - 3497 N Ammon Rd.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 - 11:30 a.m. - Work Meeting - PLC Building 3442 Iona Rd

To set up or make payments for school meals, please click the link below. You will need your student's school ID number to set up the account. You can also apply for free and reduced meals by connecting with LINQ as well.

We are excited to welcome back your students for another great school year. Below is a link to the transportation portal. This is a great resource to find your student's bus information. Please take a moment to review these safety guidelines for riding the bus.

• Please be at your bus stop 5 minutes before your scheduled stop time
• Dress for the weather
• Have a reflector or flashlight so the driver can see you waiting in the dark
• Be safe while waiting for the bus, no pushing or shoving
• Be respectful to others and the bus driver.

Student Route Deviations:

Due to the growth of our District, the safety of our students is our first priority, and we appreciate your cooperation with the deviation from procedure. All parents must come into the Transportation Office to fill out a deviation form if a student needs to deviate from their home stop for any reason. We will not approve a deviation form over the phone, it will not be emailed or faxed, and the school will not have a copy. The deviation form will not be approved for the following:

• Play dates
• sleepovers
• piano lessons and any other such activities

The Transportation Office understands family emergencies and we are always willing to help in those circumstances. Please feel free to call and speak with someone before you drive to the office and are denied.

On that note...we are in desperate need of bus drivers. Please click on the link below if you are interested or willing to be a bus driver.

If you would like to join the amazing D93 team. Click the link below to see the many employment opportunities that are available. We are always looking for substitutes. Please contact Nancy at 208-557-6821 if you are interested in becoming a substitute.

Students, parents, and employees can reach out for help with bullying, harassment, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, threats, or to report weapons at school by going to d93.org/gethelp or sending the text @gethelp to 855-528-0074.

Thank you to our community partners at EIRMC for supporting our D93 Family Update.