| | Board Report Recap of the September Kuna School Board regular monthy meeting | |
| The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024
Here are the highlights with more details in the meeting recap below:
➡️ Report: Investment in full-time kindergarten makes a difference ➡️ Kuna Middle School math success celebrated ➡️ Board keeps athletic fees at current levels ➡️ Other reports and actions: - Board approves revised budget for 2024-25
- Heating/Cooling systems, fire alarm update
- Used buses purchased to replace older buses
- Levy information committee to meet Sept. 17
- Policy decisions
➡️ Next meeting Oct. 8 | |
| Report: Investment in full-time kindergarten makes a difference | |
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Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Kevin Gifford provided an overview of the district’s change from offering the state minimum half-day kindergarten instruction to the local decision to offer full-time kindergarten instruction. Director Gifford said the shift to full-time kindergarten six years ago has resulted in a 25% increase in the number of proficient kindergarten students on state reading tests. | |
| Kuna Middle School math success celebrated | |
| Director Gifford shared that a national group will showcase KMS's success in improving math proficiency as well as growth among its learners. Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl said the team at the school has been working very hard on math.
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| Board keeps athletic fees at current levels | |
| Following up on the August meeting decision to increase athletic fees by 5%, trustees listened to patron comments about possible additional fees and increases and discussed the cost of athletic programs to the district and families. Trustees approved a motion to maintain the fees approved in August for the remainder of the school year.
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| Board approves revised budget for 2024-25 |
Trustees approved changes to the current year budget to: - Update funding amounts for federal programs;
- Include a nearly $1 million state grant for a new land lab for the high school agriculture program; and
- Authorize a one-time emergency levy to support an increase in students
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| Annual employee report shows staff retention rates remain steady |
Assistant Superintendent Brian Graves shared that the district’s retention rate of certified staff (teachers, administrators) was at about 14%. About 36% of the certified staff leaving reported they went to another school district in the state.
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| Heating/Cooling systems, fire alarm update |
Assistant Superintendent Graves shared that work continues on the required facility assessment to access new funds for building repairs. The Board will review the assessment at its October meeting. Costs to repair fire alarm systems at Kuna High School and Hubbard Elementary, Ross Elementary, and Indian Creek Elementary schools are estimated to be about $1 million. Costs to repair heating and air conditioning systems at Kuna High, Ross, and Indian Creek are estimated to be much higher about $7 million.
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| Used buses purchased to replace older buses |
Assistant Superintendent Graves reported that the district using the authority provided by the board in August, the district was able to buy four used buses to replace aging buses. | |
| Levy information committee to meet Sept. 17 |
Assistant Superintendent Jason Reddy and Trustees Bruce and Thornton reported the a community committee focused on sharing information about the supplemental levy met this month and will meet again on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $65.48 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.
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| | Most policies are reviewed by the district's policy committee comprised of staff, parents, and two school board members before being considered by the board.
The board adopts new, amends existing, and removes policies through a series of "readings."
- The first reading is typically the start of the process and can include discussions about changes.
- The second reading allows for changes to be reviewed and/or additional changes to be made.
- The third reading is typically the final step.
The public may provide feedback at every reading. | |
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| Third reading - final step |
Adopted the following policies: - 441 - Assignment, Reassignment and Transfer of Certificated Employees
- 519 - Transgender and Gender Nonconforming
- 650.1 - Library and Resource Center Materials Procedures (Policy)
- 650.2 - Library and Resource Center Materials Form (Policy)
Amended the following policies: - 246 - Trustee Vacancy
- 276 - Access to Public Records
- 409 - Military Leave
- 553 - Restraint and Conclusion
- 610 - High School Graduation Requirements
- 648 - Health/Wellness
- 650 - Library and Resource Center Materials
- 730 - Student Bus Conduct
- 838 - Activity Funds
- 850 - Purchasing
- 850.3 - Purchasing Services or Personal Property
- 850.9 - Public Works Construction
Removed the following policies: - 459 - Reassignment of Administrative Employees
- 640 - Curriculum Development, Implementation and Evaluation
- 260 - Agenda Preparation
- 264 - Annual Meetings
- 266 - Regular Meetings
- 268 - Special Meetings
- 270 - Executive Sessions
- 272 - Board Meeting Minutes
- 274 - Quorum at Board Meetings
- 561.5 - Administering Medications: Diabetes
- 857 - Personal Service Contracts - Notice Requirements
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| | The board approved its consent agenda including:
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| The Kuna School District is governed by an elected board of trustees, with each trustee representing a specific geographic area of the district, known as a Zone.
Each year, the trustees elect a chairman and vice chairman to lead the board.
In addition to board meetings, trustees may also serve on district committees.
Below is information about each trustee and link to a message for the month, if they choose to write one.
Don't know who’s your elected trustee? Look up which trustee serves your address here.
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| | Zone 4 Trustee Kim Nixon Term Ends: December 2025 Committees: Strategic Planning Committee, Kuna Education Foundation
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| | Zone 2 Trustee JD Grant Term Ends: December 2027 Committees: Safety Committee, Kuna Partnership for Kids
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| | Zone 1 Trustee Hillary Lowe Term Ends: December 2027 Committees: Policy Advisory Committee
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| | Zone 3 Trustee Kyrsti Bruce Term Ends: December 2025 Committees: Calendar Committee, Policy Advisory Committee, Capital Plan/Supplemental Levy | |
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| | Zone 5 Trustee Michael Thornton Term Ends: December 2027 Committees: Negotiations, Capital Plan/Supplemental Levy | |
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