KSD Board Report
May 2022
Message from Trustee Thomas
The board believes that it is imperative for the school district to work with the city when they are addressing growth. We are committed to meeting quarterly with the Kuna City Council and Mayor. Our second meeting is coming up on June 29. In preparation for that meeting, Superintendent Johnson asked the trustees to identify potential topics for the agenda. We shared the following topics of interest:
Changing city ordinances or state law to ensure developers help reduce impact on public services including schools and fire protection
Sharing costs of shared services including law enforcement and management and maintenance of gyms and fields
Continuing our partnership to improve quality preschool options for Kuna residents
Understanding what information the city needs from the school district as it plans new developments
Understanding the city's plans for more parks, overpasses, and supporting fire protection
I welcome your feedback on your concerns about growth and schools. Please email me.
We also encourage you to keep up on new developments in our community and reaching to our city leaders to share your thoughts:
Greg McPherson, Council President
Chris Bruce, Council Member
Warren Christensen, Council Member
- John B. Laraway, Council Member
Our board has worked very hard to be frugal with the monies entrusted to us in the 2017 Bond. We currently have about $1.2 million left. Assistant Superintendent Dave Reinhart shared a list of needs identified from across the district The board approved the following projects:
Replace the gym floor at Reed Elementary (it is currently buckling at the seams)
Complete upgrades to ensure access to schools for individuals with disabilities
Replace two ovens at Kuna High School
Replace bleachers at the middle schools
Add and replace fencing
Replace locks at Fremont Middle School
Add a refrigeration unit for nutrition program
Repair safety issues in the hallway at the district office
The board asked that the remaining items be prioritized and shared at an upcoming meeting.
- Student learning
- Continuous improvement and innovation
- Safe schools
- Strong relationships
- Organizational strength
Chief Financial Officer Elmira reported that work continues on finalizing the budget for the June 14 budget hearing.
On May 17, the negotiations teams, which I am proud to serve on, will hold a full day meeting focused on pay and benefits in 2022-23.
Superintendent Johnson shared the budget will include investments in increasing the pay for hard-to-fill positions: bus drivers and paraprofessionals.
You are welcome to attend the budget hearing which will be part of our regular June 14 meeting.
Trustees identify topics for legislative change
There are a few things in my life I am passionate about. Two of those things are the excellent education of our children and the legislative process. We, as the trustees in Kuna, have the opportunity to influence the legislative platform for the Idaho School Boards Association by proposing resolutions to the other boards across the state. We have identified the following topics to address this year:
- Allowing impact fees for school districts
- Restoration of cuts in state funding for technology, technology staff, and curriculum
- Providing more funding for classified staff
- Clarifying state law on requirements for developers
- Changing state school accountability rules to include students who earn GEDs
Trustees will review specific proposals on these topics at future meetings.
Assistant Superintendent Dave Reinhart shared a concern that alcohol would be sold on district property that is leased at no charge to the City of Kuna was resolved. Alcohol sales for the event were moved to other sites. The lease on the property will expire, and he noted that it will be an opportunity to clarify the appropriate uses.
Superintendent Johnson reviewed several online systems that will be improved or added to better support learning, improve efficiency, and provide customer-friendly experiences for teachers, administrators and parents.
Among the systems is a new parent app available in August. Parents can access information about their students and customize the information they want to receive about events, news, and social media.
CTE students place at state and national competitions
Teachers from the district's Career Technical Programs (CTE) reviewed the success of our students at state competitions and national competitions.
Kuna Way Awards
Superintendent Wendy Johnson highlighted this month's Kuna Way Award recipients:
- Kuna High School CAST students and their advisors for their work with Make-A-Wish
- Hubbard Elementary School's Lisa Gamboa, Nicole Crow and Steven Snuffler for their work on the First Lego Explore Expo event
- Kate Powers of Panera Bread and retiring social worker Jeff Harry for their support of our students and their families
- Fremont Middle School's Neva Noe was recognized for her Grange Teacher of the Year Award
(You are welcome to submit Kuna Way nominations using this link.)
Next meeting & budget hearing
June 14, 2022 Regular Board Meeting & Budget Hearing
Tue, Jun 14, 2022, 06:30 PM
Kuna School District, 711 East Porter Street, Kuna, ID, USA
I've represented Zone 1 since my election in November 2015 and reelection in November 2019. I grew up in Kuna and graduated from Kuna High School. After a short time away I returned to Kuna to raise my seven children where they all attended our great schools. Prior to running for the school board, I volunteered for eight years serving on levy and budget reduction committees. Education, especially in Kuna, is my passion! Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, "Fight for the things you care about." I care deeply about the children in our schools! I will continue to fight the good fight for them. In addition to my service on the Board, I work at the Idaho State Legislature as the Chief of Staff for the Minority Party for the House of Representatives. There I have the great opportunity to influence and give feedback on legislation regarding education. Again, education is my passion! I welcome your feedback. Email me at jathomas@kunaschools.org