KSD Board Report
Message from Trustee Johnson
Kuna patrons,
Thank you to all our patrons who have engaged with us over the past year and a half as we listened and discussed the needs of the students we serve now and of those future students that new development will bring.
I was disappointed in the March 14 bond results. While a majority of voters --56% - supported the plan on the ballot -- the bond did not pass as it fell short of the super majority required to pass a bond in Idaho.
What now? The board, superintendent, and her team will discuss our next steps in gathering more information from our community and create plans to manage growth in the absence of additional classroom spaces.
I welcome your thoughts on our next steps, too. Please feel free to email me at rjohnson@kunaschools.org
Watch the meeting recording at https://www.youtube.com/live/zpTkche9Fdk?feature=share
The highlights
▶️ Students outperform peers nationally in math; work continues to close gaps
▶️ Strategic Plan Update: Strong Partnerships projects focus on community, parents
▶️ Board appoints new policy committee; group to begin work after spring break
▶️ Work begins on setting budget for 2023-24 school year
▶️ Board OKs surveys for students in grades 3-12
▶️ Hubbard Elementary School Spotlight
▶️ Celebrations
▶️ Other action & reportsStudents outperform peers nationally in math; work continues to close gaps
Superintendent Wendy Johnson reviewed results from elementary math tests last spring and from fall and winter this year.
Idaho does not have a statewide math assessment for K-5 elementary students. Kuna invests in the i-Ready system to monitor math progress and identify students for extra help as well as and assess mastery of math skills each spring. Some highlights:
- Spring comparisons show Kuna students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades outperform their peers nationwide.
- Spring to spring comparisons show 3rd and 5th grades returning to pre-pandemic levels of proficiency levels and that additional focus needed for 1st, 2nd and 4th grade to reach pre-pandemic levels.
- Fall to winter tests show students making significant gains toward proficient in grades K-5 and at every elementary school.
➡️ Review the presentation here. Note: the chart below were created after the meeting to better illustrate the data shared with the board.
Strategic Plan Update: Strong Partnerships projects focus on community, parents
Administrators Stuart Vickers, career technical educator, and Kevin Gifford, elementary education and Reed Elementary, shared that work under this pillar includes:
- Strategic Partnerships which encompasses work with the city planners, developers, lawmakers, and major donors
- Community Partnerships which encompasses making connections with business and community groups to support:
- workplace experiences for our secondary students
- classroom experiences for our elementary students
- Parent/Teacher Communication which will involve a committee to identify expectations for two-way communications and identify tools to support expectations
- Annual parent survey
Board appoints new policy committee; group to begin work after spring break
The committee will be chaired by Director of School Support Services & Human Resources Brian Graves and begin meeting in spring. Individuals appointed to the committee include:
Trustee Russ Johnson
Trustee Joy Thomas
One elementary school administrator - Michelle Tripp
One secondary school administrator - Anna Lovelady
One elementary certified employee - Andrea Randall
One secondary certified employee - Allison Touchstone
Kuna Education Association (KEA) President or designee - Melissa Nielsen
Parent of elementary school-aged student - Lora Strange
Parent of middle school-aged student - Elliot Tolbert
Parent of high school-aged student - Melissa Warnick
One student - Emmaleigh Wright, a sophomore at Kuna High School
Certified staff member alternate - Anita Edwards
Parent alternate- Brian Reczek
➡️ Review the applicant information considered by the board
➡️Review the names of applicants and the number each was assigned
Work begins on setting budget for 2023-24 school year
Chief Financial Officer Elmira Feather shared that state revenue for the current school year is very close to the projections as well as spending levels in the budget the board approved in June.
In working on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year, the district is closely watching the state legislature.
Board OKs surveys for students in grades 3-12
The Board approved the use of an engagement survey for students in grades 3-12 and an exit survey for 12th graders to inform the district's strategic plan as well as satisfy a state requirement to survey students each year. Students will take the surveys this spring.
🕵️ Review survey for students in grades 3-11
Hubbard Elementary School Principal Justine Burgess was joined by team members Markie Price, Mary Beth Hanson, Jade Aberasturi, Abbi Robinson, Lisa Gamboa, Nicole Crow, and several students to share how the district's strategic plan impacts the school's service to children. A summary of the information shared:
- Strong Relationships - Knowing all Hubbard students by name
- Organizational Strength - Building a strong parent committee
- Student Learning - Digging deeper into the science of reading instruction
- Safety - Creating a team approach to building and student safety
- Continuous Improvement and Innovation - Working on future ready skills through Lego Club
CELEBRATIONS
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. March honorees are:
- Malia, Piper, Crimson Point Elementary
- Nicole Green, Reed Elementary
- Melissa Stoddard, Kuna and Fremont middle schools
- Courtney Shearer, Reed Elementary School
- Brandi Wurtz, transportation
- Barbara Wiggins, child nutrition, Kuna, Swan Falls high schools
- Jerry Flavel and Bill Doughty, Kuna, Swan Falls high schools
- Rocio Gonzales, Reed Elementary School
- Tena O'Brien, Reed Elementary School
- Jennifer Allen, Hubbard Elementary School
- Kyle Esbensen, Kuna Middle School
- Michele Moore, Reed Elementary School
- Jan Myer, Kuna, Swan Falls high schools3
- Jennifer Sanders, Hubbard/Ross elementary schools
- Tammy McMorrow, Indian Creek Elementary School
- Jennifer Patterson, Kuna/Swan Falls high schools
- AJ York, Kuna Middle School School
- Reyna Arizmendi, custodial team Hubbard Elementary School
▶️ Learn more about the nominees here
Hubbard teacher wins state walking challenge
Superintendent Johnson acknowledged Hubbard Elementary School kindergarten teacher Breanna Martin for winning Idaho Superintendent Debbie Critchfield's Steps for Schools challenge. Bre logged more than 500,000 steps in February! Superintendent Critchfield plans to visit Hubbard later this spring.
Other action & reports
Consent agenda
Trustees approved, its consent agenda including
- February 14, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes
- Accounts Payable
- Personnel Report
- School Financials
- Budget Status Report
- Project Tracker
- Community Development Tracker
- Settlement Offer for Government Entity Claims Against JUUL Labs, Inc. (“JLI”)
- Early Graduation Requests
- Trip Requests
KMS bathroom, Reed gym projects set for summer
The Board approved and awarded bids for two projects that will be completed in the summer of 2023:
$212,000 to Pacific Source Construction for a Kuna Middle School bathroom remodel to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project will be done in summer of 2023.
$53,200 for resurfacing the Reed Elementary School gym.
Next regular meeting - Tuesday, April 11
I joined the Kuna community in 2003. My wife and I have watched our five children succeed in our schools in a variety of areas, including academics, music, theater, athletics and FFA. KSD has been a great place for our family.
Before joining the Board, I served on the Kuna Football Booster Club and the district’s facilities planning committee. I’m an attorney and partner in the Johnson & Lundgreen law firm in Meridian. You can reach me at rjohnson@kunaschools.org