The following is Superintendent's Message to Employees of the Kuna School District for the week of Feb. 5.

Last week we sent you an update about Gov. Otter's proposed budget cuts and how they would impact our district. Since that time,we have been looking for ways to maximize our resources. One idea that we have begun exploring is to collaborate with neighboring school districts.

At Tuesday’s board meeting both of us will discuss a proposal for Kuna, Melba, and Nampa school districts to identify areas where we might be able to work together and share resources.

Superintendents and board chairmen in each district have met to determine whether there is interest in pursing this partnership and there is.

It is important to note that no decisions have been made. This effort, however, should not be confused with “consolidation,” where local districts are merged eliminating local autonomy over local schools.

Our goal would be to maximize our shared capacity to improve student achievement and to operate more efficiently with diminished resources.

We will update you on the progress of the effort and what it might mean for us.

Please continue to post your ideas and feedback in the Feedback section of the KSD News website at news.kunaschools.org.

Sincerely,

Jay Hummel, Superintendent

Jim Ford, School Board Chairman