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District

Board Report for December: Repairs for HVAC, fire alarms, roofs move forward

Posted Date: 12/16/24 (6:30 PM)

Board Report
Recap of the December Kuna School Board regular monthy meeting
Group of men and women who serve on the kuna school board
December highlights
The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024



In this report:
➡️ Architect reviews timeline for critical maintenance projects at Hubbard, Indian Creek, Kuna High, Ross, and Reed 
➡️ Trustees discuss Capital Plan Task Force
➡️ Work underway on updating cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year
➡️ Trustees change policy review process 
➡️ Celebrations: Crimson Point music program preview
➡️ Other reports & actions
  • November election results accepted
  • Policy decisions
  • Consent Agenda
➡️ Next meeting: Jan. 14, 2025
 
Architect reviews timeline for critical maintenance projects at Hubbard, Indian Creek, Kuna High, Ross, and Reed
Ron Politan of LKV Architects reviewed the schedule of critical maintenance projects at five schools to be funded with new state maintenance money and completed over the next two years. Assistant Superintendent Brian Graves explained that work on these projects can’t be done when students and staff are in the building. Projects include:

December 2024/February 2025
  • Replace the fire alarm system at Hubbard Elementary School for more than $97,000. Trustees approved the bid for this project

Summer 2025
  • Begin First of two phases of Kuna High School and Ross Elementary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), fire alarm replacement at Kuna High and Ross
  • Reroof Hubbard Annex, which is currently closed

Summer 2026
  • Finish KHS and Ross HVAC, fire alarm 
  • Reroof Reed Elementary School
  • Replace Indian Creek Elementary HVAC, fire alarms
 
 
 
Trustees discuss Capital Plan Task Force
Trustees briefly discussed the next steps for a Capital Plan Task Force including convening the group to begin work. It was noted that election dates in 2025 are in May and November. 

 
Trustees change policy review process
Trustees approved disbanding its Policy Advisory Committee in favor of a policy review process allowing more public feedback. Assistant Superintendent Brian Graves shared that the district will continue to complete a thorough review of policies by staff and also will post policies under review on its website a month in advance of the Board’s first reading. Members of the public can provide feedback on the policies under review. It was noted that the Policy Advisory Committee has reviewed dozens of policies since its creation nearly two years ago.    

 
 
Work underway on updating cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year
Superintendent Kim Bekkedahl shared that a framework of a district cellphone policy will be on the board agenda for the first reading in January. The first reading is not the final policy, but it will allow the district to qualify for a $5,000 grant from the state. Feedback will be gathered to develop the final policy which would take effect in the 2025-26 school year.

 
Four students, including one dressed as a train engineer, perform at a board meeting. The students are wearing aprons and holding trays raised above their heads in a choreographed motion. A Christmas tree is visible in the background, along with board members seated at a long table, smiling and observing the performance.
A group of young elementary students from Crimson Point Elementary stand in a line in front of a presentation screen at a board meeting, smiling. A teacher stands to the left, and a student wearing an apron stands to the right, holding a tray. The screen displays part of the meeting agenda, and some adults are seated in the background.
Celebration: Crimson Point holiday concert preview
Crimson Point Elementary students previewed their upcoming Polar Express holiday performance for trustees. 
 
Other reports & actions
November election results accepted
The Board accepted the canvass of the November 5, 2024 Supplemental Levy Election Results Ada County and Canyon County.
gavel
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.

For this report, all policy decisions are reported below:
First reading
Approved for first reading 

Adoption of
  • 816 - Disclosure Requirements for Bond and Levy Elections
  • 906 - Asbestos Management Plan

Amendment of 
  • 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 with changes proposed by trustees for second reading 
  • 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)

Removal of  
  • 401 - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • 463 - Title 1 Professional Development
  • 654 - Sex Education
  • 808 - Levy Certification
  • 839 - Associated Student Body Fund Procedures
Second reading
Approved for second reading

Adoption of  
  • 540.1 - Maintenance of Orderly Conduct
  • 940 - Electronic Surveillance

Amendment of  
  • 412 - Employee Conduct (Formerly General Personnel Regulations)
  • 418 - Personnel Conflict of Interest
  • 564.5 - Student Concussion Procedures and Protocols
  • 574 - Field Trips
  • 771 - Charging School Meals

Removal of 
  • 548 - Theft or Destruction of School Property
  • 576 - Extended Field Trips
 
Consent agenda
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 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.

Kim Nixon
Board Chair
Zone 4 Trustee Kim Nixon
Term Ends: December 2025
Committees: Strategic Planning Committee, Kuna Education Foundation

JD Grant
Board Vice Chairman
Zone 2 Trustee JD Grant
Term Ends: December 2027
Committees: Safety Committee, Kuna Partnership for Kids
Hillary Lowe
Zone 1 Trustee Hillary Lowe
Term Ends: December 2027
Committees: Policy Advisory Committee


Kyrsti Bruce
Zone 3 Trustee Kyrsti Bruce
Term Ends: December 2025
Committees: Calendar Committee, Policy Advisory Committee, Capital Plan/Supplemental Levy
Michael Thornton
Zone 5 Trustee Michael Thornton
Term Ends: December 2027
Committees: Negotiations, Capital Plan/Supplemental Levy