| Board Report Recap of the February 2025 Kuna School Board regular meeting | |
| The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025
In this report: ➡️ Reading and math tests track student growth toward proficiency ➡️ Kuna High graduation improves ➡️ Board discusses cellphone policy and potential consequences ➡️ Volunteers sought for Capital Plan Committee ➡️ Other reports & actions - Policy decisions
- Consent Agenda
➡️ Next meeting: March 4* (changed from March 11) | |
| Reading and math tests track student growth toward proficiency | |
| Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Kevin Gifford updated the board on the progress of students in reading (K-5) and math (K-8) tests from the start of school to mid-year. Every grade level showed growth in students reaching proficiency.
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| Kuna High graduation improves | |
| KHS Principal Robbie Reno shared that the school’s graduation rate improved to 86%. The rate had dropped the three years after COVID and the graduating class of 2024 marked an improvement from the previous year. | |
| Board discusses cellphone policy and potential consequences | |
| Trustees continue to gather feedback and revise a new cell phone policy (518 - Student Electronic Devices). At the meeting, trustees discussed consequences for students when the policy was not followed. The board approved the policy for first reading with changes which will be posted and available for review before the next board meeting.
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| Volunteers sought for Capital Plan Committee | |
| Trustees discussed reforming the committee to review facilities needs and make recommendations to the Board. The committee would begin meeting in March. Individuals interested in serving on the committee may contact a trustee or email Assistant Superintendent Jason Reddy at jjreddy@kunaschools.org
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| Board discusses theme for its work |
Chair Kimberlee Nixon reviewed the theme of Supportive Learning Environment for the board’s work.
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| Board discusses liaison roles |
Chairman Kimberlee shared that trustees are serving as liaisons for work around specific areas including: - Hillary Lowe, policy
- JD Grant and Michael Thornton, City of Kuna and development
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| March board meeting date changed |
Trustees approved moving the regular March meeting from March 11 to March 4.
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| Chief Financial Officer Brad Steadman reviewed a recent appraisal of the 4th Street Gym, which had a value between $1.6 and $1.7 million. The information will be part of a review of the district’s capital plan by a committee.
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| Timing of levy tax receipts reviewed |
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| Parent University focused on special education questions |
Trustee Lowe shared a report from the Feb. 3 Parent University event which focused on special education information.
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| Board reviews state literacy requirements |
Prior to the start of its regular meeting, trustees participated in the first of a two-part literacy training required of school boards. The session was led by Phil Gore, Chief Learning Officer, Idaho School Boards Association.
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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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| Amending - 202 - Public Charter Schools
- 308 - Principal Contracts
- 407.5 - Sick Leave
- 408 - Non-Discrimination in Employment/Leave of Absence
- 470 - Definition of Non-Certificated Personnel
- 502 - Student Publications
- 678 - Release Time
- Adopting
- 639.1 - Parental Rights in Education Procedure Known changes in students to return as first read
- 639.3 - Parental Rights in Education procedure visitation with changes to return as first read
- 639.4 - Parental Rights in Education visitation form with changes to return as first read
Removing - 207 - Public Charter School Petition
- 417 - Employee Volunteers
- 453 - Support Programs
- 471 - Non-Certificated Employees: At-Will Employment
- 472 - Salary Schedule for Non-Certificated Employees
- 473 - Group Health Insurance for Non-Certificated Employees
- 477 - Absence Without Pay for Non-Certificated Employees
- 478 - Illness or Death in Immediate Family: Non-Certificated Employees
- 480 - Vacation Leave for Non-Certificated Employees
Adopting - 518 - Student Use of Personal Communication Devices
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| Adopting - 990 - Bloodborne Pathogens
- Amending
- 448 - Reduction in Force Regarding Certificated Employees
- 564 - Health Records and Emergency Care
- 639 - Parental Rights in Education
- 809 - Conditions for use of District Vehicles
- 830 - Gifts, Grants and Bequests
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| Adopting - 816 - Disclosure Requirements for Bond and Levy Elections
- 906 - Asbestos Management Plan
- Amending
- 294 - Civil Rights Grievance Procedure
- 605 - Middle School Required Instruction/Promotion
- 613 - Credit Acceptance for Transferring Students
- 646 - Guest Speaker
- 674 - English Learner Programs
- 806 - Bond and Licensure Requirements for Public Works
- 810 - Budget planning and adoption
- 812 - Budget Adjustments
- 850 - Purchasing
- 910 - Rental/Use of School District Facilities
- 922 - Acquisition and Sale of Real Property
- 934 - Trespass on School Property
- 950 - Tobacco Use on District Property / Prohibition Against Smoking
- 1030 - Student Support Organization
- 1044 - Advertising and Distributing Materials in the Schools (Formerly Advertising and Distributing Materials in the Schools by Non-School Related Entities)
Removing - 401 - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- 463 - Title 1 Professional Development
- 654 - Sex Education
- 808 - Levy Certification
- 839 - Associated Student Body Fund Procedures
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| | A consent agenda groups routine items for a single motion and vote, saving time in board meetings. It includes non-controversial items like approving minutes or standard reports. Any board member can request to pull an item for separate discussion and vote if needed.
Approved: | |
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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 a 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. | |
| | 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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