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May School Board Report: Projects set for several elementaries; Graduation requirement change

Posted Date: 05/18/26 (05:30 PM)
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Board Report

Recap of the May 2026 Kuna School Board regular monthy meeting

Highlights

The Kuna school board met on Tuesday, May 12, 2026


In this report,
➡️ Preliminary state testing results show gains
➡️ Reed Elementary roof to be replaced this summer
➡️ Water heater replacements OK'd for Reed, Crimson Point
➡️ Tech system replacements OK'd for Kuna Middle, Hubbard and Reed
➡️ Work continues on 2026-27 budget
➡️ Change to High School PE graduation requirement approved
➡️ Policy decisions
➡️ Board declines annual ISBA membership renewal
➡️ Consent agenda
➡️ Next meeting: June 9, 2026
 

Preliminary state testing results show gains

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Kevin Gifford reported that students are concluding state-required testing.

Preliminary results indicate the district has exceeded its 2% growth goal in both math and science, while English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading scores remain steady compared to a year ago. He noted that the K-3 Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) is a new test this year.

In the area of ELA, the district is implementing the following for the 2026-27 school year:
  • K–5: Implementation of a newly adopted curriculum.
  • Middle School: Increased instructional time dedicated to reading.
A comprehensive data report will be presented to the Board in June.

 

Reed Elementary roof to be replaced this summer

Trustees awarded the bid to replace Reed Elementary School's more than 20 year old roof, which had begun to fail. The project will be completed this summer.

The lowest responsive bid was award to E&H Quality Construction and trustees approved a change order allowing for a new roof's life expectancy to be 30 years instead of 20 years.

The total of the bid and change order was about $449,800. The project is paid for with state funding for facilities.

 

Water heater replacements OK'd for Reed, Crimson Point

The Board awarded a $66,730 bid to Unique Plumbing to replace the water heaters at Reed and Crimson Point elementary schools this summer. The existing units are original to the buildings and have reached the end of their functional lifespan. The project is paid for with state funding for facilities.

 

Work continues on 2026-27 budget

Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Gillen informed the Board that the detailed review of the proposed 2026-27 budget is delayed while the district finalizes employee insurance costs. He recommended a special meeting to review the budget in detail prior to approval in June. Note: The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 at 5 p.m. in the Kuna High School Library.

 

Tech system improvements OK'd for Kuna Middle, Hubbard, and Reed

The Board awarded a $219,600 bid to Ednetics to replace end-of-service technology equipment at Kuna Middle, Hubbard and Reed elementary schools. This project is part of a five-year replacement plan involving all school sites.

Through the federal e-Rate program, approximately 70% of the project cost will be covered, leaving the district’s share at roughly $65,800.

 

Policy decisions

gavel

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.

Change to High School PE graduation requirement approved

The Board finalized a revision to Policy 610, expanding the pathways through which students can fulfill their Physical Education (PE) graduation requirements.

These changes provide students with more flexibility to pursue elective interests while meeting state standards.

High school students may earn PE credits through the following programs:
  • JROTC: Completion of one full school year of JROTC will now count as one (1) PE credit.
  • Marching Band: Completion of one semester of Marching Band will now count as one (1) PE credit.

Second reading

Approved for second reading 

Amending the following:
  • 0465 - Employing Retired Personnel
  • 0910 - Rental/Use of School District Facilities

Removing the following: 
  • 0314 - Employing Retired Administration

Adopting the following: 
  • 0554 - Adolescent Relationship Abuse and Sexual Assault
  • 0815 - Fund Balance and Accounting (GASB 54)
  • 0819 - Consistency of Application of Federal Funding During Closure
  • 0893 - Federal Grant Financial Management System
  • 0894 - Allowable Uses of Grant Funds
  • 0894.1 - Allowable Uses of Grant Funds - Determining Necessity and Reasonableness of Expenses
  • 0894.2 - Allowable Uses of Grant Funds - Selected Items of Cost
  • 0895 - Fraud and Theft Prevention

Third reading

Approved for third and final reading

Amending the following
  • 262 - Board Meetings
  • 610 - High School Graduation Requirements
 

Board declines ISBA annual membership renewal

The Board voted not to renew its annual membership with the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) for the 2026-27 school year, a move that will save the district approximately $12,000.

In discussing the decision, trustees cited concerns regarding the quality of professional development provided and past experiences with the association's superintendent search services. Others expressed support for the lobbying for public education provided by the organization.

 
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.

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

Zone 5 Trustee Michael Thornton
Term Ends: December 2027
A man with short brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a red, white, and blue plaid shirt.

Vice Chair

Zone 2 Trustee JD Grant
Term Ends: December 2027
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Zone 1 Trustee Hillary Lowe
Term Ends: December 2027
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Zone 3 Trustee Kyrsti Bruce
Term Ends: December 2029
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Zone 4 Trustee Freddy Wheeler
Term Ends: December 2029
 
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