February School Board Report: Student math, reading results

Posted Date: 2/18/25 (:30 AM)

View Original Post

Board Report

Recap of the February 2025 Kuna School Board regular meeting

Group of men and women who serve on the kuna school board

February highlights

The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

📺 Watch the full meeting

📖 Read the agenda

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.

📖Review the data

📺Watch the presentation

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.

📺Watch the presentation

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.

📺 Watch the cellphone policy discussion

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

📺 Watch the discussion

Other reports & actions

Board discusses theme for its work

Chair Kimberlee Nixon reviewed the theme of Supportive Learning Environment for the board’s work.

📖 Review the presentation

📺 Watch the discussion

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

📺 Watch the discussion

March board meeting date changed

Trustees approved moving the regular March meeting from March 11 to March 4.

4th Street Gym appraised

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.

📺 Watch the discussion of the appraisal

Timing of levy tax receipts reviewed

CFO Steadman reviewed when emergency, supplemental and bond property taxes would be received by the district.

📺 Watch the discussion of tax levies

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.

📺 Watch the report

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.

📺 Watch the workshop

Policy decisions

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.

First reading

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

Second reading

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

Third reading

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

Consent Agenda

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:

About our trustees

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.