Earlier this school year, we paused finalizing our strategic plan after hearing mixed feedback about one of the five areas of the plan called safe and inclusive schools. Some feedback expressed concerns and others supportive.

One of our roles as a Board is to set the vision and direction for the district in collaboration with our community and staff.

In January, the Board is inviting its patrons to participate in study circles so trustees and staff can listen to our community to help finalize the safe and inclusive schools area of the strategic plan.

In the study circle format, participants are part of a small group of 8 to 10 people. This allows for all participants to have a voice and to listen to others around this topic.

Study circles will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31 at Swan Falls High School, 7300 S. Linder Road, Meridian, ID.

The plan is to group participants with their trustee, who would facilitate the discussion. This could change depending on how many want to join us. We will offer an online option if enough individuals sign up for it.

If you are interested, please use this link to register:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KSDJan31SignUp

Registration closes 5 p.m. Jan. 26.

I hope you will join me on Jan. 31. I look forward to listening to you!

Below is a recap of the Jan. 11 meeting following the order of the agenda. Note: The swearing-in of trustees was moved to after the Pledge of Allegiance. The video of the meeting is posted here.

Zone 3 Trustee Kyrsti Bruce and Zone 4 Trustee Kim Nixon , who were elected in November 2021, were sworn in to start their four-year terms on the Board.

Superintendent Johnson reviewed the gold, silver, and bronze awards earned by trustees and the leadership award to the entire board from the Idaho School Boards Association reflecting our participation in training and other activities during 2021. I received the gold level award. I take my job as your trustee very serious and work very hard to earn this recognition. This the 6th year I have earned the gold level.

High School Coordinator Brian Graves shared that Kuna High School's Activities Director Tracy Donaldson was awarded the Marquis Ross Rising Star Award from the Idaho Athletic Administrator's Association.

Trustees recognized Marci Durrant and others with the Kuna Way Award. Seeing a need to help distribute gifts and food boxes for more than 200 needy families in our community in December, Marci stepped in to help. Thank you, Marci!

Want to nominate someone for the Kuna Way Award? Click here.

Superintendent Johnson and her team are providing video reports to the Board about how our schools are supporting students whose learning was impacted by COVID disruptions, and how one-time federal funds are boosting this work. This month's report focused on our middle schools.

Communication Director Allison Westfall shared information about the reach of our first Board Report newsletters. She and Superintendent Johnson reviewed plans for a study circle planned for Monday, Jan. 31. If you would like to participate please fill out the sign up at the start of this newsletter.

Assistant Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl and Kuna High School Lead Building Administrator Dave Beymer reviewed the district's suspension and expulsion process. They shared that student behaviors resulting in formal evidentiary hearings and potential expulsion are rare but have increased this year. Mr. Beymer provided details on a new learning option that will be provided for students who, for discipline reasons, are not in school. during the second semester.

In November, Chief Financial Officer Elimira Feather shared that state funds for school districts could be negatively impacted by decisions made by the Legislature. She shared in this update that state decision makers are beginning to address the concerns identified by districts and the outlook for KSD's 2021-22 state revenue is improving.

The Board approved its Consent Agenda with the exception of the Personnel Report which was addressed after the Executive Session later in the meeting. Items approved at this time included:

• December 14, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

• Accounts Payable

• School Financials

• Budget Status Report

• Trip Requests

• Project Tracker

• Community Development Tracker

• Early Graduation Requests

Superintendent Johnson shared as a follow up to the December meeting conversation about meeting with the City Council about growth that she met with Mayor Stear. A joint school board and city council meeting to discuss growth is being planned for March. Possible dates include March 7 or March 10.

Superintendent Johnson in her update shared:

• A number of unfilled positions continues in transportation, child nutrition, and maintenance and custodial areas. In addition, January has seen an increase in unfilled substitute requests.
• The new voluntary testing program is helping to rule out COVID and helping students and staff return to school and work faster.

After discussion among staff and trustees clarifying proposed changes to the district's illness decision tree, the Board approved it. Superintendent Johnson said the changes will reduce quarantine times. She agreed the graphic was confusing and the district would work to clarify it.

The first regular meeting in January is the Board's Annual Meeting where it sets officers, meeting dates, etc. for the Board. I was elected to continue as Board Vice Chairperson, we also :

• Elected J.D. Grant to continue as Board Chairperson
• Appointed Elimira Feather as District Treasurer
  
• Appointed Cairlissa Morgan as District Clerk.
• Reviewed and signed the Code of Ethics

Trustees approved the time, date, and place for its regular monthly meeting. The Board will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm to be held at Kuna Jt. School District Office Conference room: 711 E Porter Street. Regular meeting dates for 2022 will be:

• Feb. 8
• March 8
• April 12
• May 10
• June 14
• July 12
• Aug. 9
• Sept. 13
• Oct. 11
• Nov. 8
• Dec. 13

Trustees approved the following posting locations for meeting notices:

• School District Office
• District Website
• District Facebook
• Additional location if open to the public Kuna Post Office, Kuna City Hall, Kuna Community Library

Our board typically has three readings of policies before they are officially adopted and implemented. Multiple readings gives us the time for input and edits that may be needed.

The Board approved the first reading of the following policies:

• Policy 418
• Policy 444
• Policy 923

In accordance with Idaho Code, the Board adjourned into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. After it returned to public session, the Board approved the Personnel Report.