Hello Patrons!

As you look over this newsletter, you will get an overview of what the meeting was about.

Community feedback is extremely important and encouraged.

It would be great to hear from you about the growth and the needs of our community. There is the basic idea of what we think we know, but having ideas from you allows me to make decisions for you.

The budget is another topic of communication. Your feedback on this matter would also be helpful. Our district has to catch up with the growth, but also be able to maintain the growth in the future. What are some ideas/ways to make it better? Ideas and conversation are happening within the supervisory committee and feedback is always welcome.

Attending these meetings is also a great way to stay within the know. I encourage each one of you to come out and attend in person to hear what’s going on.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can contact me at knbruce@kunaschools.org

I am here to serve you.

Have a great day!

Kyrsti Bruce

The board is meeting quarterly with the Kuna City Council and Mayor. To help prepare for June 29 meeting, Superintendent Johnson asked trustees to identify potential topics for the agenda. Trustees shared the following topics of interest:

• Changing city ordinances or state law to ensure developers help reduce impact on public services including schools and fire protection
• Sharing costs of shared services including law enforcement and management and maintenance of gyms and fields
• Continuing our partnership to improve quality preschool options for Kuna residents
• Understanding what information the city needs from the school district as it plans
• Understanding the city's plans for more parks, overpasses, and supporting fire protection

About $1.2 million remains from the 2017 bond. Assistant Superintendent Dave Reinhart shared a list of needs identified across the district The board approved the following projects:

• Replace the gym floor at Reed Elementary (it is currently buckling at the seams)
• Complete upgrades to ensure access to schools for individuals with disabilities
• Replace two ovens at Kuna High School
• Replace bleachers at middle schools
• Add and replace fencing
  
• Replace locks at Fremont Middle School
• Add a refrigeration unit for nutrition program
• Repair safety issues in hallway at district office

The board asked that the remaining items be prioritized and shared at an upcoming meeting.

The plan sets the direction for the district through 2026 around five strategy areas:

• Student learning
• Continuous improvement and innovation
• Safe schools
• Strong relationships
• Organizational strength

Chief Financial Officer Elmira reported that work continues on finalizing the budget for the June 14 budget hearing.

On May 17, the negotiations teams will hold a full day meeting focused on pay and benefits in 2022-23.

Superintendent Johnson shared the budget will include investments in increasing the pay for hard-to-fill positions: bus drivers and paraprofessionals.

You are welcome to attend the budget hearing which will be part of our June 14 meeting.

Trustees discussed what state law changes to advocate for with partners including the Idaho School Boards Association. They identified:

• Allowing impact fees for school districts
• Restoration of cuts in state funding for technology, technology staff, and curriculum
• Providing more funding for classified staff
• Clarifying state law on requirements for developers
• Changing state school accountability rules to include students who earn GEDs

Trustees will review specific proposals on these topics at future meetings.

Assistant Superintendent Dave Reinhart shared a concern that alcohol would be sold on district property that is leased at no charge to the City of Kuna was resolved. Alcohol sales for the event were moved to other sites. The lease on the property will expire, and he noted that it will be an opportunity to clarify the appropriate uses.

Superintendent Johnson reviewed several online systems that will be improved or added to better support learning, improve efficiency, and provide customer-friendly experiences for teachers, administrators and parents.

Among the systems is a new parent app available in August. Parents can access information about their students and customize the information they want to receive about events, news, and social media.

Teachers from the district's Career Technical Programs (CTE) reviewed the success of our students at state competitions and national competitions.

Superintendent Wendy Johnson highlighted this month's Kuna Way Award recipients:

• Kuna High School CAST students and their advisors for their work with Make-A-Wish
• Hubbard Elementary School's Lisa Gamboa, Nicole Crow and Steven Snuffler for their work on the First Lego Explore Expo event
• Kate Powers of Panera Bread and retiring social worker Jeff Harry for their support of our students and their families
• Fremont Middle School's Neva Noe was recognized for her Grange Teacher of the Year Award

(You are welcome to submit Kuna Way nominations using this link.)

Trustees approved the consent agenda which included:

• April 12, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes
• Accounts Payable
• Personnel Report
• School Financials
• Budget Status Report
• Trip Requests
• Project Tracker
• Community Development Tracker
• Summer Football Equipment Request
• Policy Updates - a. Third Reading - policy 400.10 Idaho State Veteran Employment Preference