#KSD Ready & Resilient
Update from Kuna Superintendent Wendy Johnson
1.15.2021
- Board will ask voters to renew our Levy for Learning for same amount; no increase in school tax rate
- Updated secondary calendar: no 2 hour early release next week for grades 6-12; When could students return to full time?
- Above & beyond: KHS Josh Rippy
- Food pantry available to our families
- Thanking our school board members
- No school Monday, Jan. 18
- COVID data dashboards
Board will ask voters to renew our Levy for Learning for same amount; no increase in school tax rate
On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees decided to ask our patrons to renew our Levy for Learning for the next two years.
The amount of the levy - $2.5 million a year for two years -- remains the same and the district's tax rate would not increase, and may even drop as it has in recent years as our community has grown (See chart).
Our Levy for Learning helps fill the gap in state funds which do not cover the full cost of educating our students and address needs prioritized by our community.
We shared the results of our recent needs assessment with the Board on Tuesday. Thanks to all who participated. You can review those here.
The assessment shows that past priorities are still very important and include:
- Reducing class sizes
- Free full time kindergarten
- Classroom supports - textbooks & technology; and
- Safety
Conversations and the assessment showed there are more needs than funding available from the levy, and the same dollars don't go as far in paying for additional teachers.
The Board reviewed options to ask for more to cover those needs and they also discussed concerns about rising home values and the impact of increase taxes on our families.
The Board and I discussed how to address some of those needs without asking our local property owners to pay more. Last week, we learned that the district will receive some additional federal funds from the second stimulus package. We're learning how those new one-time funds can help us meet our needs.
Next steps
We'll be reaching out to those who volunteered in the assessment and we'll be sharing more information about what's on your ballot, what it means to you, and your voting options during this pandemic.
Kuna School District Levy Election
Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021, 08:00 AM
Kuna School District
Updated secondary calendar: no 2-hour early release next week; When could students return to full time?
Originally, we'd planned for secondary to have some early release days next week for the end of the semester. These are no longer on the calendar as we've adjusted schedules to our blue/gold hybrid.
Elementary will have its normal early release Friday next week and Initial Point is an E-day.
When will secondary be able to return to full time?
We appreciate Gov. Brad Little moving vaccines for teachers and school staff up on the state's roll out plan.
Earlier-than-expected access to vaccine means we can begin to explore and discuss whether we can shift secondary students back to full time in person learning.
You'll see on the updated secondary calendar a blue/gold schedule for the entire third quarter which ends April 2. We'll update you when a decision is made.
Planning for graduation
We've also set dates for graduation for our two high schools. Kuna High School would be at the Idaho Center. Note the change in time from the past. Initial Point is planned for KPAC.
One thing we've learned in this time of COVID is not to plan too far ahead so we appreciate your patience waiting for details about how these events will look.
Thanking our school board members
Superintendent Wendy Johnson
Email: ksdcommunications@kunaschools.org
Website: www.kunaschools.org
Location: 711 East Porter Street, Kuna, ID, USA
Phone: 208-922-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuna-Jt-School-District-No-3
Twitter: @Supt_Wendy_J