[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6084953,"mediaKeyId","2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942","parentId",2906859,"title","District announces $133,000 award for STEM/PD items; schedules Parent University sessions","audioSeconds",261,"startMs",3259000,"endMs",3520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942&start=3259&end=3520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942/thumbnail_3259000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084953/Idaho/District-announces-133000-award-for-STEMPD-items-schedules-Parent-University-sessions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084953-51b4746fa86bd1a107e445d1a76801ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172144&Signature=O75ZnqX1Rnk49VV7JW~IG-b4q5upqoSa397AQCsTZ9qqeVHjHAce-9Zse~yl33WHuC9jqfyma~dBJbaNqYtHa29aOMRXaXlogOeevqlym8eY9rVHOnkvLq20yx1NZIZUlCHn6-r8kslGMpIFYkxumZWFkfOvs85yQzNcYI4tM4zBv7VBUqxTGFKB0xrO35Rc9tNyeq9HLyxeKpN3zlIOmwvaJs429hEaEQaQG66TmtRspVZ0bSGgdy6f-1Ki781ZuKZOSK975b~Pv3lCfQLuwF3JwwICYSpxD-hSAbKMMOoG0VtR5kWZxjDuern37KA4vYpaiLAxU78MkAC-jql41A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kuna Joint District","date","2025-04-09T07:23:24.767Z","article","Kuna Joint District staff told trustees on April 15 that the district has been approved for a grant award (referred to in the meeting as “the medicraft” award) for $133,000 to support targeted programs including professional development, Lego clubs at elementary schools and AVID.

The superintendent (identified in the packet as Kim Bechtel) reported the award is designated in several “pockets,” including roughly $65,000 earmarked for professional development and a request to sustain Lego club activities across elementary campuses. Staff explained the award was pursued as part of the district’s relationship with a funder referenced as CUNA; the funder provided a dollar amount the district could request and approves eligible items within that allocation. “They gave us kind of the dollar amount we could apply for and then we looked at what we like,” the superintendent said. Trustees clarified that the grant was designated to specific uses rather than an entirely unrestricted award; staff said awarded funds must fit the funder’s eligible program categories.

Staff also reviewed a set of upcoming Parent University events aimed at family orientation and transition: a high-school “101” night for families of rising ninth graders is scheduled at Kuna High School, and a kindergarten-focused “Welcome to Your Future” event will be held at Swan Falls High School the same night to let families tour career and technical education (CTE) facilities and learn registration, busing, safety and classroom expectations. Middle-school and additional high‑school sessions will follow, and some parent groups plan to provide childcare or parent volunteers at the sessions.

District communications staff said they will provide QR codes and online resources for parents who cannot attend in person and will coordinate messaging around rezoning updates and boundary decisions so parents are not directed to schools that could later change by board action. The board did not vote on accepting the grant award during the meeting; staff reported the grant approval process is complete and funds will be distributed after usual processing steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kuna School District Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district reported receipt of a $133,000 award to support professional development, Lego clubs, AVID and prevention work tied to student supports; administrators also outlined a series of Parent University events for incoming kindergarten, middle- and high-school transition nights.","taxTitle","KUNA JOINT DISTRICT, School Districts, Idaho","taxId",57648,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6084958,"Parent tells board frequent room clears and hall checks are eroding trust; trustees discuss clearer communications",231,6784000,7015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942&start=6784&end=7015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942/thumbnail_6784000.jpg","/articles/6084958/Idaho/Parent-tells-board-frequent-room-clears-and-hall-checks-are-eroding-trust-trustees-discuss-clearer-communications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084958-ef4607980d06f818386d90095b786f7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172144&Signature=DqB~y84daJiwDFriQH0oU3YoBDU32H2IVtvQ5LFvNF15bF02E7JW0OvBPWa1IuEeczUj8x9Cnw9QYqCWmThdpbJBIgpnEI-bAZe0XRuc-4mpG-CQj5vSAaSv6yG3M10AO3yW-v0dZ8I0hAD-I-Al-no6KmL2L-lz9tmPvQ4ASecvUk7SkuknjzdlFmBJRIRV0x3BGdpPoC1Ip66mWAXhm-n6nTCZEEnYmXdYTTpEiY0pBK8GzFEV6CcdV2Qh0QaYfQNPWvc2iZdK0CuhJWKVLG6S1F3foblXhqUZkgh3kdlySo85xmWOYEd6ppw4JwTblLbp9pwb2acvNWB-A1wVTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Kuna parent told the board on April 15 that repeated room clears and hall checks at Crimson Point Elementary are causing student anxiety and hurting parental trust, and asked the district to improve transparency about such incidents.

Sadie Nelson, who identified herself by name and address, told trustees she had counted three room clears in a week at one school and described incidents in which students said classrooms had been “torn apart” and that children were returning home scared. “Our children are just seeing things they shouldn't have to see day in and day out,” Nelson said, adding that parents struggle to get consistent answers from teachers and administrators.

Nelson asked how parents can have more trust in the schools’ handling of behavioral incidents and asked for clarity about how and when parents will be notified. “How can we have more trust as parents? There feels like there's kind of a disconnect between admin, the school district, teachers, admin, parents, staff,” she said.

Trustees acknowledged the concern and engaged staff in a separate discussion about the district’s communication practices. Board members reviewed a draft communications policy that would require schools to notify parents and guardians about lockdowns, evacuations, reverse evacuations, hall checks and other disruptions. Several trustees urged the administration to add “room clears” explicitly to that list and discussed whether the policy should require notification for any disruption that interrupts instruction. Trustees requested feedback from elementary principals about operational implications and whether weekly or twice-monthly school newsletters should be standardized.

Administration said principals, safety staff and substitutes receive building-level lockdown and emergency procedures; district staff noted that principals have discretion on tactical responses and that some emergency plans are not published publicly for safety reasons. Trustees asked staff to return with a clearer, implementable communications procedure that explains when parents will receive notices and what information will be included.

No disciplinary action or new formal policy was adopted at the meeting; the discussion concluded with instructions for staff to draft a clearer communications process and consult elementary principals before the item returns to the board.","A parent told trustees that repeated room clears and hall checks at Crimson Point have damaged trust and left students anxious; trustees discussed communicating disruptions to families and asked staff to specify when and how parents will be notified.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6084963,"Board accepts server bid, reviews HVAC and fire‑alarm projects and Fourth Street gym options",0,8182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942&start=8182&end=8182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942/thumbnail_8182000.jpg","/articles/6084963/Idaho/Board-accepts-server-bid-reviews-HVAC-and-firealarm-projects-and-Fourth-Street-gym-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084963-6b39827b28ee89cfc9f2d394fbc0f5ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172144&Signature=f74rX3Sk5Wi75L0rYOZePSZQTmM3vwhODLeddmznCJcLClq48fE-EClU8oqR694-moaBMoqkRNrT43KCR8cAtXlYRl9tbfwGxM2BBJugtUzAOedynEODyf2CYjlyYud6E0VuA0MUZ4a61DeIfM2naBVzy-klInkicFFPc4pMgTHYjTpS52bUpMDIu-4stAbEGamGmua6x1c0qwDqSWHCre0rcqkMv8MB1CA2d8E2iIr87WUzP71nwkdiieA4irypjuvMv455CKT5Kbh~jLBfZoAH4HJ0b0bJGP-OffN-AVvJCOv9Ou8t~vlweak82swr1n8z7DSZMfikOk5el0DJQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kuna Joint District School Board voted on April 15 to accept a vendor bid to replace district servers and heard staff updates on a summer program of facilities work including HVAC and fire‑alarm projects and ongoing planning for the Fourth Street gym property.

IT purchase: The board moved to accept a bid from Ednetics (also referred to as EdnetX in the record) to replace district servers and storage devices for $80,588.92. The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Kirsty (aye), Michael (aye), JD (aye), Hillary (aye) and the chair (aye). Staff said the purchase will be paid from leftover ESSER funds designated for larger IT purchases and that many district services previously hosted in-house are now externally hosted, reducing storage needs.

Safe‑schools construction: Facilities staff reported they had accepted low responsive bids for Phase 1 HVAC and fire-alarm upgrades at Indian Creek, Ross and Keaton High School; the teams praised competitive bidding and vendor participation. Phase 1 work was presented as scheduled for completion by August 2025 with Phase 2 to follow, and staff warned that the statewide construction schedule means some vendors lack summer capacity; phase sequencing is planned so code-compliant systems will be in place for the next school year.

Fourth Street gym and property: Staff presented an “interim assessment” of the district-owned Fourth Street Gym and identified a set of repairs and usability issues — restroom upgrades, fence repair (cost‑share discussion with neighboring property owners), roofing work, window sealing and grounds maintenance — and noted the building currently operates at a net operating loss when rental income and maintenance are compared. Trustees discussed whether to repair and retain the building for district programming and tournaments or to prepare it for sale; staff said an appraisal is on file and that additional bids and cost estimates will be gathered before a decision is made.

Hubbard Annex: Administration asked for board permission to go out to bid for roof replacement and restroom repairs at the Hubbard Annex; trustees approved going to bid so the project can be complete in time for opening classroom space by late summer. Trustees discussed sequencing of projects and contingency approaches if bids exceed capacity or if schedules slip.

No legal thresholds were reported as unmet for these projects. Staff said some materials and equipment have already been ordered and will be staged for summer work. Board members asked staff to return with cost estimates for remaining Fourth Street repairs, possible sale scenarios, and to ensure any construction is bonded and licensed as required.","Trustees approved an $80,588.92 server/storage purchase and received updates on HVAC and fire‑alarm projects at several schools, Fourth Street Gym maintenance needs, and the Hubbard Annex scope; district staff said most construction will be scheduled over summer and into 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6084967,"Kuna board hears capital‑planning projections; city data show thousands of approved lots ahead",475,6181000,6656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942&start=6181&end=6656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942/thumbnail_6181000.jpg","/articles/6084967/Idaho/Kuna-board-hears-capitalplanning-projections-city-data-show-thousands-of-approved-lots-ahead","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084967-f1be8860708f095a597e42ec5ca6f547/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172144&Signature=EwLzcz9Ac1oBd81ijTZrq1JE0Eu--EQoEQaMq60hzPMGXFYWyk2auyk2hO-p4Y6rZM1kg34vEtdvP9HULAlcZzS-KhI2TiEWvtf~LJzmv9CWUbBD-~pMPB-FUqNvRuKEwvi0LXDsY7mcWD09r79G~1KGEV0z-l4RIfz7AJNJMsGnj32nwc7QStaZXYF0fMYKptEVwX-D1A6OjlbVHgsxafFv4p1ckihY6jxkH3kK3jZeyuqMhs-LBYsjzf6WOTxzfVBFQJgCdma4~NySUDUkTacpVmg616eeZD6~IvFfT2lwlXErzq0OTqnG4-89u-16GuG0gw7pZ1vq8QOo6f2LZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kuna Joint District trustees on April 15 were briefed on capital‑planning work and city growth projections showing long-term residential development that could add thousands of housing units to the district.

Jason (last name not specified in the record), a board member who is part of the district’s capital-planning group, summarized a community workshop and mapping work led by the city’s GIS specialist Mike (last name not specified). The presentation said the city’s records show about 9,000 approved housing lots “and some change,” though presenters cautioned that approvals span many years and development timing varies. “Shorter time frames are easier to be more accurate,” the city mapping expert told the group, according to the district presentation.

District growth analysis presented to the group estimated the student-per-household ratio has fallen over recent years; staff reported a historical high around 1.5 students per household when Swan Falls High School was built and more recent measures near 0.5 students per unit. Capital-planning members said those shifts affect prioritization: a projection of “5 to 700 more kids in our school district in the next 18 months” was cited at the meeting as a plausible near-term scenario for planning.

Trustees asked for more demographic detail before making building or bond decisions. Board members and staff said they will meet with an outside demographic firm (referred to as “Compass” in notes) to analyze household composition and likely student yield from new housing. The district’s next steps include bringing community-friendly materials (photos and short videos) from the capital-planning meetings online so residents who could not attend can see proposed space uses and timelines.

Trustees also discussed the rezoning work tied to immediate capacity needs. Administration said consultant-produced options for elementary-boundary adjustments will be ready the week of April 21; district staff asked the board to review proposed scenarios so the district can inform parents before open-house and kindergarten events. The consultant’s work will prioritize relieving overcrowding at Silver Trail and Reed elementaries and incorporating Hubbard Annex classrooms when it opens.

No formal vote was taken on bonds or specific construction; trustees asked staff to return with analysis, cost estimates and demographic forecasting to inform potential bond or levy proposals and the capital plan’s next phases.","City and district staff told trustees that up to roughly 9,000 approved building lots could eventually be added in the Kuna area and that the district’s current students-per-home ratio has fallen from about 1.5 to roughly 0.5; trustees asked for more demographic analysis to guide facility priorities and rezoning.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6084972,"Trainer urges Kuna board to align goals, monitor literacy and student growth",3638,312000,3950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942&start=312&end=3950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906859-b8232503592408f331b64d9f76f32942/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6084972/Idaho/Trainer-urges-Kuna-board-to-align-goals-monitor-literacy-and-student-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084972-016df35cf91b494ce5776711367eb407/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172144&Signature=CPTB8gTjaZraLNwlSQRq-Os6FAqwVEV--7XZmTlQfxUubN-OeulalpPkEue3K-fFO2PD296AFTdM~gurQXGLIOMd48MI1A1wjzF6bSlRAeKUJ1UL9iKNaLqGTCia4oQznhUH4MPnyCXfzySvp-BNDgI~52hdMNIm-ZPHvnamDBA8wb3-D8rsH-GyMnpDCwAf9bM--wm6YPwdcbuUFqSW8rEZlP-Rz0kGdy6aItQtm2PKevYwg9luuKQXuc1L7Pn4mDVL6OkQlTPwhUUE6YRebzFtma3MGtAfjMSv03lsBxEaDmzsrlIZkel9eKR-q7Iij3cqP8miAASXtqPm3tauZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An outside presenter urged the Kuna Joint District School Board on April 15 to set focused, measurable goals, align the district’s continuous improvement plan with superintendent evaluation, and monitor reading outcomes throughout the year.

Phil Gore, a governance trainer brought in for the meeting, told the board that districts that publicly set and communicate priorities — and tie superintendent goals to student achievement — show higher likelihoods of improvement. “If the board has goals for the superintendent tied to improving achievement, student achievement is likely to be improved,” Gore said.

Gore said boards should balance vision with day-to-day accountability: set a “main thing,” align district plans and school- and teacher-level goals to that priority, then monitor progress with predictable checkpoints. He described three broad assessment types — formative (during instruction), interim (checkpoints) and summative (end-of-year) — and recommended that boards decide in advance what data they need and the format in which they want it. “What format do we need to see it in? What are the 3 things up there I need to pay attention to?” he asked the board.

On literacy specifically, Gore walked trustees through the “science of reading,” highlighting phonics and phonemic awareness while underscoring comprehension as essential. He noted a statutory requirement he summarized for Idaho: students who do not score proficient on the fall Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) must receive 30 to 60 hours of literacy intervention. “The law requires students that don't score proficient on the fall Idaho reading indicator must receive 30 to 60 hours of literacy intervention,” Gore told trustees. Board members asked whether the 30-to-60-hour range reflected staffing or program constraints; attendees suggested practical reasons such as staff capacity and kindergarten scheduling.

Gore encouraged boards to treat data reviews as governance work — not information-only matters — and recommended workshops or a retreat to decide what data trustees should see and how often. He also emphasized the role of trust and culture in enabling administrators and teachers to present honest data without fear of punitive reactions. “When we look at data throughout the year, it needs to invite questions,” Gore said, adding that the board’s tone should be “with a flashlight, not a hammer.”

Trustees asked practical questions about implementing the recommendations. Several raised scheduling and format issues for data presentation and how the board and superintendent should identify the indicators that will prompt actions such as curriculum change, hiring an instructional coach or reallocating staff.

Gore closed by recommending an annual retreat or workshop for the board and superintendent to clarify roles, set a shared agenda and put measurable goals into the continuous improvement plan.

The board did not take formal action on the training itself; the presentation was delivered as part of the meeting’s agenda and used in later policy and data-format discussions.","An external presenter told the Kuna Joint District board that boards that set clear goals and align superintendent evaluation with student-achievement targets are likelier to see improvement, and described components of effective early-reading instruction and assessment use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District announces $133,000 award for STEM/PD items; schedules Parent University sessions

Parent tells board frequent room clears and hall checks are eroding trust; trustees discuss clearer communications

Board accepts server bid, reviews HVAC and fire‑alarm projects and Fourth Street gym options

Kuna board hears capital‑planning projections; city data show thousands of approved lots ahead

Trainer urges Kuna board to align goals, monitor literacy and student growth