July School Board Report: New BusApp for parents; Understanding school tax changes

Posted Date: 07/20/26 (05:30 PM)

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Board Report

Recap of the July 2026 Kuna School Board regular monthy meeting

A group of five people, three men and two women, pose for a studio portrait against a blue, textured background.

Highlights

The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026

📺 Watch the meeting recording

📖 Review the agenda

In this report,

➡️ New BusRight App Tracks Student Rides in Real Time & Helps District Build Smoother, More Efficient Bus Routes

➡️ Spotlight: Understanding Kuna school property tax changes

➡️ Update on the Fourth Street Gym Potential Sale

➡️ Board Reviews Proposed Changes to Library Procedures

➡️ Other reports & actions

➡️ Policy decisions

➡️ Consent agenda

➡️ Next meeting: Aug. 11, 2026

New BusRight App Tracks Student Rides in Real Time & Helps District Build Smoother, More Efficient Bus Routes

A child looks at a navigation screen on a tablet mounted in a bus.

Assistant Superintendent Brian Graves presented an overview of the district's implementation of BusRight, a new tool for tracking school buses and updating parents.

Following a successful pilot program this August the system is scheduled to roll out to all student riders this fall.

The new technology focuses on four main areas to improve safety, tracking, and overall operational efficiency across our school bus routes:

Parent Communication & Transparency: Through the BusRight parent app, families can view live rider status updates as students scan their "Safety Passes." The app features automated notifications with live ETAs, real-time alerts for delays or route changes, and direct weather alerts in both English and Spanish via app, email, or phone.
Safer, Easier Driver Navigation: Drivers will utilize in-cab tablets featuring audio and visual turn-by-turn navigation that avoids restricted roads. The system displays digital attendance rosters and critical, stop-specific notes (such as drop-off instructions or special needs requirements) to support smooth route transitions.
Intuitive & Efficient Routing: The administration can manage all district transportation from a centralized table that seamlessly syncs with the Student Information System (SIS). The intuitive platform features drag-and-drop route creation, integrated Google Street View for safety checks, and unlimited Google Maps routing.
Live GPS & Visibility: Fleet managers can track vehicle locations in real time with location updates occurring every two seconds. The system provides precise arrival ETAs and a historical playback log detailing driver speeds, completed or missed stops, and any route deviations.

📺Watch this part of the meeting.

Infographic detailing the Kuna School District's property tax breakdown for 2024 and 2025, highlighting a record low tax break in 2024.

Spotlight: Understanding Kuna school property tax changes

Superintendent Marcus Myers shared an infographic to help clear up confusion regarding school property tax changes in Kuna.

Thanks to new state funding, local property owners only had to support $3.19 million in 2025. When compared to previous normal years—like 2022 ($10.89 million) and 2023 ($6.30 million)—local taxpayers are actually paying significantly less while supporting students and programs.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting.

Update on the Fourth Street Gym Potential Sale

The Board of Trustees accepted a key provision regarding the potential sale of the district's Fourth Street Gym to the City of Kuna:

Five-Year Rent-Free Period: The provision allows the school district up to five years to vacate the property at no cost. If the district remains in the building past the five-year mark, a daily fee will be assessed.
Target Timeline: While the agreement allows for five years, the district's goal is to transition out of the facility within two to three years if the purchase is finalized.
Next Steps: The proposal now moves to the City of Kuna for it consideration.

In September 2025, the board sought bids on selling the site, and in November 2025, the district received a bid of $1.6 million from the City. The district uses office space at the site to house its technology services, while the gym is rented by community groups.

📺Watch this part of the meeting.

Board Reviews Proposed Changes to Procedures for Library Concerns

The board approved the first reading of updates to the district's Library and Resource Materials Concerns procedures. Teaching and Learning Director Kevin Gifford shared that the changes reflect experience with using the process and are designed to streamline it in the future.

Key updates include:

Resolving Concerns at the School Level: If an individual has a concern about a book or resource, they will now be required to try to resolve the issue at the school building level first - contacting the school administration.
Updated Decision-Making Process: A review committee will now share its recommendation with the superintendent, who will make the decision, rather than sending the recommendation directly to the school board.
Option to Appeal: If the individual is not satisfied with the superintendent's decision, they retain the option to appeal the decision to the school board.

Next Steps: These updates are not yet official. The board will consider the revisions in upcoming second and third readings before they are finalized.

📺 Watch this part of the meeting.

Other Actions & Reports

Trustees:

Reviewed information about the financial leadership of the district with an Accounting Director and Finance Director
Appointed Accounting Director Cairlissa Morgan to serve as District Treasurer. (Strategic Plan: Organizational Strength)
Appointed Allison Westfall to serve as Board Clerk. (Strategic Plan: Organizational Strength)
Authorized official signature authority for Superintendent Marcus Myers, Accounting Director Cairlissa Morgan, and Finance Director Austin Kohout. (Strategic Plan: Organizational Strength)
Approved the lowest bid of $73,250 from CTI Group for the purchase of 500 refurbished Acer Chromebooks. (Strategic Plan: Organizational Strength)

Policy Decisions

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

650.10 - Library and Resource Center Materials Procedures (More information above)

Second Reading

Approved for second reading

205 - Strategic Performance Plan and Training
404.5 - Information on Past Job Performance and Misconduct
406 - Investigating and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
410 - Non-Discrimination in Employment / Leaves of Absence
440 - Employment of Certified Employees
446 - Negotiated Agreement Terms
449 - Release From Contract of Certificated Employees
540.1 - Maintenance of Orderly Conduct
559 - Food Allergies
561 - Administering Medications
564 - Health Records, Health Care Services and Emergency Care
639 - Parental Rights in Education
652 - Library and Resource Center Materials
652.1 - Library and Resource Center Materials - Complaint Form
297.1 - Title IX Grievance Procedure
400 - Hiring Process
564.1 - Blanket Consent Form for Health Services for Minor
640 - Moment of Silence

Remove the following

447 - Recruitment of Certificated Employees

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.

Don't know who’s your elected trustee? Look up which trustee serves your address here.