KSD Board Report
Message from Trustee Grant
As this school year winds down, our district is gearing up for the next one. A major piece of that is setting our spending plan for 2023-24.
It's not surprising that 90% of our budget pays for people to serve our nearly 6,000 students. In addition, much of the funding we receive is dedicated to salaries -- meaning we can't use it for other purposes such as building a new school, buying more buses, etc.
On May 23, a proposed budget for 2023-24 will be published in local newspapers and on our school district website. Our June 6 meeting will include the formal budget hearing and the opportunity to provide comments.
You are encouraged to reach out to Superintendent Wendy Johnson and Chief Finance Officer Elmira Feather in advance with questions.
Watch the meeting recording at www.kunaschools.org/Board-video
The highlights
▶️ Principals review criteria for student honors at upcoming graduations
▶️ Work continues on updating requirements based on profile of a graduate
▶️ 2023-24 budget will include continued improvement in classified pay
▶️ District will listen to patrons to inform next steps on building needs
▶️ Kuna Way Award
▶️ Rams chosen as new Ross Elementary School mascot
▶️ Other action & reports
- Policies approved for first reading
- Work continues to educate families about dangers of fentanyl
- Agreement allows for supervised student nurses to serve in schools
- District working to update valuation of property, buildings
- Consent agenda approved
- Trustees discuss future
- District to participate in "Save the Data" training
- Next regular meeting - Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Principals review criteria for student honors at upcoming graduations
In advance of graduations later this month, high school principals Dave Beymer and Robbie Reno reviewed the criteria to graduate and how academic awards such as valedictorian, salutatorian, and other honors are achieved and the regalia (cords, stoles, pins, etc.) students can wear at the graduation ceremony.
Work continues on updating requirements based on profile of a graduate
In April, trustees reviewed work under way to update the district's graduation requirements. Part of that work includes defining outcomes expected for our students to graduate future ready. Superintendent Wendy Johnson shared that teams will develop recommendations on how the district will measure five areas: academically ready, citizenship ready, life ready, health ready, and next step ready.
2023-24 budget will include continued improvement in classified pay
Chief Financial Officer Elmira Feather thanked trustees for their advocacy with the State Legislature to increase funding for classified staff salaries. Classified staff are employees who provide a variety of support services including classroom aides, technology staff, cafeteria staff, etc.
She said the district's increased classified staff funding would be used to implement increased pay scales. Under the proposal, classified pay would be comparable to our neighboring districts and no staff member will make less than $13 per hour. Employee pay decisions will be finalized after the Board approves the budget in June.
➡️ Review the presentation here.
📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.
➡️ Next steps: Budget hearing June 6
District will listen to patrons to inform next steps on building needs
Trustees approved a listening plan proposed by Superintendent Wendy Johnson. She shared the district will survey community members online and in person to gather information about why the March bond failed. The district will also partner with the City of Kuna to send out information in utility bills to help reach more patrons. The information gathered will shape a recommendation for the Board in September.
District will update policy, programs in response to new laws
Superintendent Johnson reported that several new state laws will take effect on July 1. Teams will be reviewing the new laws to identify what changes need to be made to district policy, procedures, and practices. She shared that a new required middle school career exploration class is already in place in Kuna and new financial literacy education components will need to be included in the district's graduation requirements.
Kuna Way Awards
During the school year, the Board recognizes individuals with the Kuna Way Award based on nominations from parents, staff, students, and the community. April honorees are:
- Madison Passmore, Kuna High School student (see video above)
- Tabitha Lamkey, Reed
- Melissa Millward, Silver Trail
- Meeka Kay, Kuna Middle
- Bre Martin, Kuna Middle & Hubbard
- Laura Anderson, Kuna Middle
- Dani Walker, Indian Creek
- Alexis Robbins, Crimson Point
- Claire Boulware, Silver Trail
- Shana Krebs, Silver Trail
- Rocki Beck, Reed
- Deann Greany, District Suport
- Phil Stoffle, Initial Point
- Mariela Vazquez, Reed
- Jocelyn Rogers, Crimson Point
- Kimberly Barker, Indian Creek
- Mackenzie Carnahan, Silver Trail
- Arielle Jensen, Reed
- Joan Reynolds, Reed
- Terisa Howell, School Resource Officer
▶️ Learn more about the nominees here
Rams chosen as new Ross Elementary school mascot
Principal Michelle Tripp and student leaders reviewed the process they used to recommend a mascot for the school. Trustees approved the recommendation for a Ram.
Other action & reports
Policies approved for first reading
After discussion, trustees approved for first reading the following policies from its policy committee:
- Policy 404 Employer Recommendations
- Policy 404.50 Past Job Performance
- Policy 413 Political Activities
- Policy 415 Staff Protection
- Policy 644 Controversial Issues
Under the policy process, these policies would come before the Board for two more readings.
Work continues to educate families about dangers of fentanyl
Assistant Superintendent Bekkedahl reported out on a visit from Idaho Governor Brad Little to Kuna High School earlier in the day to help raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl. She thanked the Superintendent's Advisory Council and Kuna Police for its work on this effort.
Agreement allows for supervised student nurses to serve in schools
Agreement allows for student nurses to serve in schools
The Board approved entering an agreement with Unitek Learning Education Group Corp for student nurses in our schools.
District working to update valuation of property, buildings
Chief Finance Officer Elmira Feather shared the district is in the process of updating the valuation of all district property for insurance purposes.
Consent agenda approved
- April 11, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes
- Accounts Payable
- Personnel Report
- School Financials
- Budget Status Report
- Project Tracker
- Trip Requests
- Early Graduation Request
- Summer Football Equipment Request
- Surplus
- 2023/2024 contract renewal with Phillips Driving School
- Second reading of Policy 910 - Rental Use of Facilities
Trustees discuss future legislative advocacy, training
Vice Chair Joy Thomas shared the Idaho School Boards Association expects to focus its advocacy efforts on voucher and other topics next year so it is encouraging members to limit the resolutions proposed to the membership to approve. She also shared that there are upcoming opportunities for trustee training including one hosted at Swan Falls next month.
District to participate in "Save the Data" training
Technology Director Jason Reddy shared district leaders will participate in a scenario-based training on July 11 to prepare should hackers crash our systems and he invited trustees to participate.