In Love With Updates
February 28, 2022
D91’s SPFF Election is March 8!
Idaho Falls School District 91’s School Plant Facilities Fund Levy (SPFF) Election is Tuesday, March 8. The levy has been in place for decades, and the $2.4 million generated each year from the levy provides funding for major capital expenses such as technology, school buses, matching funds for PTOs, ongoing building maintenance, repairs and renovations to schools.
D91 parents and patrons can learn more about the SPFF and the upcoming election, and meet school board members, at a public meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, March 1, in the Little Theater at Skyline HIgh School.
The SPFF isn’t new. D91 patrons have supported the levy for more than 50 years. Even with renewal of the SPFF, District 91 patrons pay less in school taxes than patrons in surrounding school districts. Patrons also have seen their D91’s tax bill decrease over the last few years. The annual total tax bill – for all D91’s levies and bonds – has dropped from $401 to $389 a year for a home with a median value. The median value of homes has gone up 14 percent, but D91’s overall tax rate has gone down 17 percent. Learn more about tax impacts here.
Polls will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on March 8. D91 patrons vote at their regular polling place. If you’re not sure about where to vote, check with the Bonneville County Elections Office here.
One More Chance to Give Input
After weeks of community outreach, which included the review of thousands of survey responses and other community input, recommendations for updating and upgrading D91’s facilities are being finalized. Before the draft recommendations go to the Board of Trustees on March 9, D91 parents, patrons, students and staff have one more chance to provide input. Here’s a link to the survey. The survey closes at noon on Monday, March 7.
The draft recommendations include:
- Build a new IFHS on the new site near the corner of 49th & Holmes.The existing IFHS campus would be renovated as the home of the district's permanent CTE center and alternative high school.
- Perform a major renovation to Skyline HS, to include adding an auditorium.
- Rebuild Temple View Elementary School on a new site on the north side of the district (potential site is already owned by the district). The existing Temple View site would be repurposed for another use, and community feedback would be sought prior to so doing.
- Build a new elementary school on the south side of the District to relieve overcrowding (potential sites are already owned by the district).
To review all the facilities work that has been done to date, check out the “Resources” page on the project website here.
D91 Career Fair Highlights Options
D91’s career and college advisors have been planning the fair with our CTE program coordinators for several months. Juniors and seniors from Skyline & Compass will attend Monday morning, while students from Idaho Falls and Emerson will attend in the afternoon. We appreciate all the businesses that are taking part in the fair, including the INL, Idaho Fish & Game, Idaho Falls Power, East Idaho News, Bateman-Hall, Bish’s, Idaho Central Credit Union, Keller Williams Real Estate, City of Idaho Falls, EIRMC, Mountain View/Community Health, Heartland Pharmacy and more. If you have a junior or senior, ask them about their Dream Job!
Spring Registration Is Under Way
This year, D91 is pleased to offer all-day kindergarten, as well as its early childhood peer model program for children ages three and four and the D91 Online Academy for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
The easiest way to register new kindergartners is online here. Select “New Students 22-23 School Year". Applications are required for the early childhood peer model program. More information and applications are available here.
Registration information for the D91 Online Academy will be available soon. Check for updates at www.ifschools.org.
Coming Soon! D91App
Congrats to Our Gatorade Athletes!
We are D91Proud of cross country runners Luke Athay of Idaho Falls High School and Nelah Roberts of Skyline High School. They were recently recognized as the Gatorade Idaho Boys Cross Country Player of the Year and the Gatorade Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. Whooohoooo!
That’s A Wrap!
Our 11th annual One District, One Book initiative featuring “Lety Out Loud” has wrapped up. Thank you to everyone who supported this ongoing effort to increase reading and literacy in our community!
Important Dates:
- March 1: SPFF Public Meeting, 7 pm, Little Theater at Skyline High School
- March 3: End of 2nd Trimester
- March 3: Applications due for 8th graders hoping to attend Compass Academy for fall of 2022-23
- March 4: No School – Teacher Work Day
- March 7: D91 Career Fair for all D91 juniors & seniors
- March 8: D91’s SPFF Election, Polls open 8 am to 8 pm
- March 9: Board Business Meeting, 6 pm, Idaho Falls High School Media Center
- March 15: Board Work Session, 4 pm, Idaho Falls High School Media Center
- March 16: 5th Grade Patriotic Program, Skyline High School Gymnasium
- March 21-25: Spring Break, No School
Compass Applications Due This Week!
Compass has a range of AP courses, and because of the school’s flexible schedule many students are able to start college early at College of Eastern Idaho and earn GEM certifications and even associate degrees. Compass was recently named one of America’s best high schools by U.S. News & World Report.
There are 150 slots for incoming freshman. Applications are due March 3. If necessary, a lottery to fill the available slots will be held on March 4. Learn more about the application process. Complete an application.
Ed Foundation Offering Scholarships To D91 Grads & Former D91 Grads
It’s scholarship time at the D91 Education Foundation! We are proud to offer a growing number of scholarships for D91 graduates and former D91 graduates, including a brand new scholarship funded with proceeds from the Heart of Idaho Century Ride. Most of the applications are due April 22, 2022. Encourage your senior or college student to apply today!:
- NEW SCHOLARSHIP! Heart of D91 Go On Award -- Funded by proceeds from the Heart of Idaho Century Ride, the Heart of D91 Go On Award provides two $1,000 scholarships to graduating D91 seniors and two $1,000 scholarships to former D91 graduates. The application is simple, but a little unique. No essay. Students just provide a resume, and then take part in a short interview. Interviews will be scheduled in late April/early May. Here's a link.
- MAECK FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP -- The William J. and Shirley A. Maeck Foundation provides at least one $2,500 scholarship to a deserving D91 graduate. The actual amounts and numbers of scholarships awarded varies from year to year. The application has been updated with a new essay question.
- ODD FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP -- The Odd Fellows Memorial Scholarship provides two $5,000 scholarships each year. One scholarship is awarded to a graduating D91 senior and one is awarded to a former D91 graduate currently attending an Idaho university, college or vocational program. Here's a link to the application.
New Mental Health Resources!
D91 is offering new mental health services for families. Through ParentGuidance.org, parents have access to more than 50 online parenting classes, “Ask A Therapist” and individual family coaching. Learn more at ParentGuidance.org
Did You Know?
D91 Still Needs Substitutes!
We appreciate all those who have signed up to be substitute teachers in the last few weeks, but we still need more subs, especially as we head into the busy spring season. If you’re interested, please apply today at: https://www.d91.k12.id.us/Content2/2770 And, remember, D91 now offers increased pay, bonuses and compensation for training.