On June 1, 2022, Governor Little signed a proclamation designating June as School Board Appreciation month. I was asked to attend that signing both as Region 3 Chair on the ISBA Executive Board and Vice Chairman of the KSD Board. It was an honor to be there!

On June 7, an annexation of a subdivision was approved by City Council despite our

concerns presented to them in their formal process. This was done despite their

assurance to us that our needs would be considered especially since they named KSD

as a critical agency. The School Board is asking the City to reconsider its decision. (See

full letter below.)

We also discussed topics for our combined meeting that was scheduled for June 29.

However, due to scheduling conflicts we decided to postpone this meeting and

reschedule it for later.

Although that meeting was postponed we are still being proactive regarding growth!

Although the Board does not oppose growth, we do believe that developers should help

offset the impact of growth on our schools. We took action to support our work to

advocate for our current and future students and our taxpayers by:

• investing in staff to represent our students' needs at every city meetings and to
• meet with developers;
• increasing funds for legal services that may be needed;
• pursuing changes to law that will allow us to collect impact fees and other legal
• changes.

📺 WATCH THE DISCUSSION OF THE LETTER TO THE CITY

📺 WATCH THE DISCUSSION OF THE UPCOMING MEETING WITH THE CITY

The Board finalized plans for next year with the approval of the Master Agreement with teachers and 2022-23 Budget.

Some highlights:

• The state Legislature is providing more funding for schools with the increases earmarked for teacher, early literacy programs and employee health insurance.

• The funding allows for the district to improve pay of employees in this highly competitive job market.
• The teacher salary schedule will be increased by 4% resulting in average pay increases of about 6% depending on the individual teacher's experience and education.
• In addition, teachers who returned to work for us will receive a one-time $1,500 stipend.
• The district also will fund Year 2 of a four-year plan to improve our classified staff pay (office staff, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, etc.)

I had the pleasure of serving on the negotiation committee as the board representative. I am proud of the work we did to come to agreement on these items! With the ever-changing demand on our teachers and staff I feel like we are moving in the right direction to make sure we take good care of our employees and by creating a place that people want to work.

In 2022-23 Budget, the district will continue to follow Year 2 of a three-year plan to use federal pandemic funds to support students' learning needs and communicate with families. Highlights include:

• Continue 10 extra certified staff to help close learning gaps among students
• Add one K-5 Spanish-language certified staff member to help close learnings among English learners
• Provide substitute support for special education staff
• Continue five health aides
• Continue three instructional coaches
• Continue leadership stipends for teachers
• Launch a alternative and diversion program for grades 6-12 called "Bridges"
• Add a social worker
• Continue financial incentives for substitutes

📺 WATCH KUNA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MASTER AGREEMENT PRESENTATION

📺 WATCH THE 2022-23 BUDGET PRESENTATION & HEARING

Superintendent Johnson shared that open administrative positions at schools and the district office were filled. She reviewed an updated school and district leadership chart for 2022-23.

📺 WATCH THE SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT

Assistant Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl shared that there is new law enforcement leadership for School Resource Officers. Sgt. Brian Keen is assigned to supervise the KSD SROs specifically. In the past we have had to share a supervisor with other districts. Assistant Superintendent Bekkedahl is meeting with Sgt. Keen and Kuna Police Chief Mike Fratusco to discuss the needs of our schools and ways to increase SRO presence there. We are excited about this change and look forward to working with Sgt. Keen!

📺 WATCH THE REPORT ON SROS

Vice Chairman Joy Thomas updated the trustees on work on resolutions (proposed changes to in law or state policy) to submit to the Idaho School Board Association's membership for support. To date, she has secured a legislator to sponsor three of the five proposals. In July, the Board will consider proposals on:

• Allow school districts to access Impact fees from new development
• Restore state funds that were cut for technology, staff, professional development, and curriculum
• Improve funding for classified staff pay
• Count students who earn a GED toward a high school's graduation rates
• Update Statute 67-6513 - that addresses growth

📺 WATCH THIS DISCUSSION

• Student Success: Kuna High School student Marcie Patterson was chosen for state FCCLA leader role and is serving as Vice President of Public Relations and Development for the group's Region 3.
• June School Board Appreciation Month - Trustees were recognized for their volunteer service.

Superintendent Wendy Johnson recognized Kristy Hardy as June's Kuna Way Award recipient.(You are welcome to submit Kuna Way nominations using this link.)

Trustees approved the consent agenda which included:

• May 10, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes
• Accounts Payable
• Personnel Report
• School Financials
• Budget Status Report
• Early Graduation Request
• Public Records Request
• Trip Requests
• Project Tracker
• Community Development Tracker

• Bond Projects - Director of Student Services Brian Graves shared that a recommendation on the use of the last of the 2017 bonds will come after costs are finalized for projects previously approved by the Board
• Milk Bids - Trustees authorized the district to bid for milk and dairy products.