KSD Board Report
Message from Trustee Thomas
At this month's meeting, we talked about what diplomas issued by Kuna School District should represent as we aim to ensure our students are ready for the next step. I welcome your feedback on the draft of the "profile of a graduate," details below.
I also want to commend HTV Creek, LLC developers. We can't require developers to pay impact fees. We do ask them to voluntarily donate a mitigation fee. HTC Creek offered to do more including supporting our construction trades program, details are below.
Watch the meeting recording at www.kunaschools.org/Board-video
The highlights
▶️ Group works to define what a Kuna School District diploma represents
▶️ State shifts away from funding education for all students to most students
▶️ Board discusses next steps after unsuccessful bond to relieve overcrowding
▶️ Small subdivision developer offers options to help mitigate the impact of growth
▶️ Strategic Plan: Safe schools pillar focus on connections, planning
▶️ Indian Creek Otters showcase gains in math
▶️ Celebrations
▶️ Other action & reportsGroup works to define what a Kuna School District diploma represents
High school principals Dave Beymer, Kuna High, and Robbie Reno, Swan Falls High, updated the board on work to update the district's graduation requirements.
Part of the effort is to define the skills, knowledge, attributes, and competencies expected of all Kuna School District students to graduate and make a successful transition to life after high school.
They shared a draft "Profile of a Graduate" developed with input from parents, teachers, and staff. The proposal identifies standards in five areas: academic, citizenship, life, health, and next steps after graduation (See graphic below for details.).
Once the profile is finalized, the working group will detail how the different areas will be measured and what changes would be recommended to the district's graduation requirements.
State shifts away from funding education for all students to most students
Chief Finance Officer Elmira Feather shared that state lawmakers approved a major change in school funding that impacts the district's budget for the coming school year.
What changed in state funding?
Lawmakers switched from funding every student served (enrollment) to funding based on student attendance (ADA). With this change, Kuna expects to receive funding for about 92% of our students next year. The state will cut the number of positions it will fund under this approach.
Overall, she estimates the district will receive $43.2 million to serve children in 2023-24 and noted the budget that the board will consider in June will include its plan to use one-time federal funds in lieu of asking taxpayers for a supplemental levy.
➡️ Review the presentation here.
📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.
⏰ Public hearing on the budget June 6.
Board discusses next steps after unsuccessful bond to relieve overcrowding
Trustees discussed the next steps in managing student growth in our schools and options in light of the recent unsuccessful bond in March.
Trustees approved a request from Superintendent Wendy Johnson to better understand "why" the measure didn't pass. The first step would be to identify the costs of using a research company to poll the community to better understand the results.
Trustees reviewed the information with Financial Advisor Michael Keith about a plant facilities levy. This tax requires voter approval like a bond but depending on the amount sought, the passage rate is lower than a supermajority. Using this approach, however, is more expensive if the district needs to borrow money to pay for major projects like a new school. The advisor also updated the trustees on a new property tax relief bill approved by the Legislature which early estimates show could provide the district funds to help pay off past bonds over time.
Trustees briefly discussed options for managing growth such as year round school. Superintendent Johnson said the district would collaborate with our stakeholders about ideas to address the growth challenges in the short term and present options to the board.
Small subdivision developer offers options to help mitigate impact of growth
HTV Creek LLC is proposing a small 29-home development in the district's boundaries. Representatives approached the district about contributing more than the board asks developers to donate.
Trustees discussed the options including one to support the district's construction trades program by providing a lot and resources for students to build a home.
The Board approved moving forward to finalize an agreement with HTV Creek and bring back information to the board for final approval.
➡️ Review the information here.
📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.
Strategic Plan: Safe schools pillar focus on connections, planning
Assistant Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl and Kuna High School Vice Principal Tracy Donaldson reviewed work in this "Safe Schools" Pillar of our strategic plan including:
- Hosting "Connecting Together" events to inform parents and community members about issues impacting the children we serve
- Increasing safety equipment
- Review and updating safety plans
- Regular building safety walkthroughs at all schools
Indian Creek Otters showcase gains in math
Indian Creek Elementary School Principal Kimberly Barker and her team and students showcased strategies teachers and students used to focus on improving math outcomes including using professional learning community time on Wednesdays, setting goals, using assessment data, and new strategies.
➡️ Review the presentation here.
Updated policy would increase fees, set priorities for use of facilities
Trustees approved for first reading an updated facility rental policy. Director of School Support Services Brian Graves shared when finalized, the policy would increase rental fees charged to outside groups to use district facilities. It also would set priorities for use of the facilities with the first priority being school and district use.
➡️ Review the draft policy here.
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. April honorees are:
- Steve Page, Transportation
- Quency Murphey, Transportation
- Jessica Young, Kuna Middle School
▶️ Learn more about the nominees here
Other action & reports
March 14 election results
The Board accepted the March 14, 2023 Bond Election results from Ada County and Canyon County
Printers, printer services bids
The Board awarded Pacific Office Automation the bid for the district's networked printer fleet.