Snake River School Board awards waterline, roof and parking contracts; expands online programs and grants 4‑H credit

The Snake River School Board of Trustees on April 21 approved construction contracts for a junior-high waterline replacement, roof repairs and district-office paving, adopted next year’s calendar that ends after Memorial Day, and approved academic and policy changes intended to support enrollment and federal compliance.

Chairman Lon Harrington called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the Snake River Community Library in Blackfoot. Trustees Toni Ibarra, Carol Hepworth (by phone) and Josh Sorensen (by phone) were noted in the minutes; Larin Mortimer was absent. The board approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda that included personnel items and financial reports.

The board voted to award the junior-high waterline replacement to Harris Plumbing, which submitted the low bid at approximately $290,000. Superintendent Mark Kress told the board the project is funded through a $400,000 federal grant and described the work as addressing lead and water-quality concerns. The award is contingent on HMH Engineering’s final review to confirm the bid meets required specifications; the minutes record the motion as passing 4-0.

Trustees also approved roof repairs at the junior high, accepting a Robison Roofing bid for $450,047. The repair work targets a deteriorated north-side roof area above the cafeteria and north of the gym; the scope includes replacing damaged materials and altering roof slope to improve drainage and reduce snow-related damage. The minutes record the motion as passing 4-0.

For the district office parking lot, the board accepted a $110,465 bid from Mickelsen Construction after Superintendent Kress and Paul Groesbeck reviewed submitted bids and recommended award; that motion is recorded as passing 4-0.

On academics and student opportunities, the board approved granting high-school credit for two 4‑H courses—Animal Science and Know Your Government—offered in partnership with the University of Idaho. To qualify, students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of coursework and project-based learning; students may earn up to four credits over the course of high school. The board also approved a revised 2026–27 district calendar that, based on a teacher survey, ends after Memorial Day (56% in favor). Both motions are recorded in the minutes as passing 4-0.

The board authorized staff to request written permission from the Idaho High School Activities Association for coaches to use school football protective equipment at a summer camp scheduled July 20–23, 2026, with acknowledgment in the request that IHSAA catastrophic insurance does not cover the activity. That motion is recorded as passing 4-0.

In an information report, Superintendent Kress said the district expanded its Snake River Online program from K–8 to K–12 and extended the Snake River Opportunities High School program from grades 8–12 to grades 6–12 “to preserve current enrollment levels without creating additional financial impact on the district.” He also described plans to purchase Bus Boss routing software from Orbit, which the district said would add a parent phone app, real-time tracking and driver tablets to support routing and substitutes. Kress provided a brief legislative update saying K–12 education avoided major cuts in the recent session but that districts still face rising operational costs without additional state funding.

The board approved second readings of multiple policy updates, including revisions to Policy 4260 (Records Available to the Public) to align with HB 253 and a suite of procurement and federal-funds policies (7400 series), and held first readings on Policy 2435P (Dual Credit Programs) and Policy 3085P1 (Title I sexual-harassment grievance procedures). The minutes record the second-readings motion as passing 'All board members present voted aye. Motion passed 3-0' and first readings as passing 4-0.

Votes at a glance • Agenda approval: motion passed (recorded in minutes as 3-0). • Consent agenda (minutes, personnel, financial reports): approved (recorded 3-0). • Junior High waterline replacement (Harris Plumbing, ≈$290,000; contingent on HMH review): approved 4-0. • Junior High roof repairs (Robison Roofing, $450,047): approved 4-0. • District office paving (Mickelsen Construction, $110,465): approved 4-0. • 4‑H credit equivalency (Animal Science; Know Your Government; min. 60 hours; up to 4 credits): approved 4-0. • 2026–27 calendar (end after Memorial Day): approved 4-0. • IHSAA equipment permission request for summer camp (July 20–23, 2026): approved 4-0. • Second readings of multiple policies (4260, 7400 series, 7430, 7450 series, 7455): approved (recorded 3-0). • First readings of Policy 2435P and Policy 3085P1: approved 4-0.

What’s next: The board listed several upcoming dates, including negotiations beginning April 29, Election Day on May 19, and the next board meeting on May 20, 2026 at 7 p.m. The minutes were attested by Clerk Terisa Coombs and Chairman Lon Harrington.