KSD Board Report

Patrons,

On March 14, 2023, the Board will ask you to consider a $111.4 million bond. The plan we bring you was developed by a community task force and addresses the needs of our students and our taxpayers.

The graphic above illustrates the need for our students - some schools are over crowded, the others are getting close. We need more learning spaces for kids. (Details on the projects is below.)

Our plan also considers the needs of our taxpayers.

In 2017, we promised to keep the school district's property tax rate no higher than $5 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value. The chart below shows what actually happened. Tax rates dropped to $2.05 this year.

What would passing the March 2023 bond mean for tax rates?

The property tax levy for the bond would remain at its current level -- $155 per $100,000 of taxable value or $1.55 per $1,000.

In addition, the overall 2024 property tax rate would decrease as the district won't seek a supplemental levy for learning for the 2023-24 school year. (Details are below.)

In the new year, we will share more about our plan. I welcome your comments and questions, please feel free to email me at jdgrant@kunaschools.org If you would like to help share information with our voters, use this link to sign up.

Enjoy the upcoming holidays with your families. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

▶️ KSD will use one-time federal funds in lieu of $2.5 million in property taxes

▶️ Voters to consider bond on March 14 for Phase 1 of building plan

▶️ Board approves Phases 2 & 3 of building plan

▶️ Final 2017 Bond projects will address safety, technology and maintenance needs

▶️ SAT requirement waived for KSD Class of 2023

▶️ Reed showcases its partnerships with parents, community, & lawmakers

▶️ Celebrations

▶️ Other action & reports

The Kuna School District's $2.5 million annual "Levy for Learning" expires on June 30, 2023.

Superintendent Johnson and Chief Financial Officer Feather shared that instead of asking local property taxpayers to renew the levy, the district can use one-time federal funds to pay for those needs which include curriculum, technology, additional teachers to lower class sizes, school resource officers, safety aides and behavior specialists.

➡️ Review information on federal funds and supplemental levy

➡️ Watch the Board's discussion and vote here.

Trustees will ask voters in March 14, 2023 to consider a $111.4 million bond to pay for the Phase 1 of a 10-year plan to reduce overcrowding in the district's schools by adding more classroom spaces. Specifically the bond would provide funding for:

• A new elementary school

• Kuna Middle renovation & additions

• Fremont Middle renovation & additions

• Swan Falls 28-room classroom wing & athletic additions

• Bus Annex - Part 1

• Deferred maintenance

The trustees heard from its financial advisors and bond attorney about three options for the $111.4 million bond. They chose one that would allow the district's bond rate to remain at the same rate.

➡️ Review the Financial Advisors presentation here

➡️ Review the Bond Resolution Options Considered by the Board

📺 Watch this part of the meeting here

Trustees approved building priorities for Phases 2 and 3 of the 10-year Capital Plan . All projects rely on local voters approving bonds. The Phase 1 projects approved in December will go before voters in March 2023.

• New elementary school #2
• Ross remodel, expand to K-5 #3
• Small Elementary/Older Buildings Repurpose #1 To be determined: Indian Creek, Hubbard, Police Station, Porter Building etc. & potential uses)
• Kuna Middle renovation & additions (track)
• Fremont Middle renovation & additions (Performing arts classroom, track & cafeteria addition)
• Swan Falls fine arts addition, performing arts center, cafeteria and office additions
• Swan Fall outdoor athletic stadiums & venues (soccer, football/track, baseball, softball, tennis & practice fields)
• Bus annex part 2

• Deferred maintenance

Phase 3

• New elementary school #4
• Small Elementary/Older Buildings Repurpose #1 To be determined: Indian Creek, Hubbard, Police Station, Porter Building etc. potential uses)
• New middle school #3 Phases 1 and 2
• Swan Falls final classroom additions & CTE final program additional spaces (Welding, police & fire, cosmetology, collision repair, pharmacy tech, etc.)
• Kuna High School Career and Technical Education and Activity/Athletic equity upgrades

• Deferred maintenance

To be determined based on growth:

➡️ Review the Capital Plan Presentation slides here.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.

As a result of the district's focus to mitigate the impact of development on taxpayers, Director Brian Graves reported that the district expects to receive about 180 acres of land for future school sites. Now instead of purchasing more land for future school sites, the district could use the last of 2017 bond funds on needed projects.

The Board approved spending the remaining funds -- about $936,000 -- in four areas:

• Classroom technology -- replacing end-of-life classroom technology in all classrooms
• Safety - Replacing and updating building internal public announcement systems to the same system.
• Deferred maintenance & land donation fees and expenses
• Land acquisition, fees & expenses

➡️ Review the 2017 Bond presentation slides here.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.

At the request of the high school administrators, the Board of Trustees waived its college entrance exam requirement for the the Class of 2023. A committee is reviewing KSD's graduation requirements including the SAT and will make a recommendation for the Board to consider later this school year.

The SAT will still be provided at school for students who would like to participate.

➡️ Review the presentation slides here.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting here.

Principal Kevin Gifford and Vice Principal Michelle Moore reviewed how Reed Elementary School engages parents, community. lawmakers and others. Principal Gifford noted the efforts exemplify the district's strategic plan pillar strong partnerships, and our goal that "The Kuna School District will embrace parents, caregivers, businesses, and the community as vital partners in the education and success of all our students."

➡️ Review the presentation slides here

📺 Watch this part of the meeting

Kim Bekkedahl was named the Idaho Association of School Administrators' "District Administrator of the Year."

📺 Watch this part of the meeting

During the school year, the Board recognizes individuals with the Kuna Way Award based on nominations from parents, staff, students and the community. December honorees are:

• Sophia Bender, Silver Trail Elementary School kindergarten (VIDEO)
• Mason Bakken, Ross Elementary fourth-grader (VIDEO)
• Kuna High School choir, orchestra, and band students (VIDEO)

• Kim Riggs & Angelie Bauer, Kuna High School
• Terry Adolfson, Kuna High School
• Linda Wiedenfeld, District Support
• Christy Mauk, Kuna High School
• Jessica Anno, Kuna/Swan Falls high schools
• Amber Doramus, Kuna Middle School
• Tara Whitney, Hubbard Elementary
• Bret Wiggins, District Support Nutrition
• Carrie Wurtz, Fremont Middle School
• Colleen O'Sullivan, Fremont Middle School
• Kelly Adams, Ross Elementary School
  
• Kuna High School choir, orchestra, and band students
• Sheryl Elmquist, District Support Transportation
• Karen Merkley, District Support Special Education
• Anne Orr, Kuna Middle School
• Allison Westfall, District Support, Communications

🗳️ Nominate someone for the Kuna Way Award here.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting

Trustees approved:

• November 8, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes
• Accounts Payable
• Personnel Report
• School Financials
• Baseball booster club reports
• Trip requests: Drama, Ag/FF, JROTC, KHS Boys Basketball, Dance Team
• Professional services agreement with TischlerBise
• Budget Status Report
• Project Tracker
• Community Development Tracker
• Surplus
  

Trustees moved an item on the consent agenda: Football booster club reports to a future meeting.

Trustees reviewed:

• Plans for Dec. 15 legislative visit -
• ➡️ Review the information
• 📺 Watch the discussion
• School activities budgets -
• ➡️ Review the information
• 📺 Watch the discussion
• Ada County High District safety projects -
• ➡️ Review the information
• 📺 Watch the discussion.
• Idaho School Boards Association November Convention - reports from Trustees Johnson, Nixon, and Thomas
• 📺 Watch the discussion.
• Kuna Schools Foundation - Trustee Nixon represents the Board on the Foundation and shared how the funds are used to support teachers and students and encouraged individuals to support it.
• Learn more about the foundation
• 📺 Watch the report

The Board will hold its regular January meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10