This month, the Board continued to focus on the needs of our current and future students and our taxpayers. Last Tuesday night, the board:

• heard an update from members of the Capital Plan Task Force that based on the developments already approved by city leaders, we don't have the classroom space needed to serve the 2,700 new students that will come to our community;
• approved a proposal for a standard approach to ask for voluntary contributions from developers who should be required to help reduce the consequences of new homes on schools and other public services;
• approved continuing its work to change state laws to help us with growth.

You can find more details below.

We also want to invite you to get involved. Here's how:

• Provide feedback: Look for a survey from the district and provide your input to inform the work of the Capital Plan Task force.
• Consider joining our growth & development committee. please sign up here.
• Contact city leaders:
• Mayor Stear
• Greg McPherson, Council President
• Chris Bruce, Council Member
• Warren Christensen, Council Member
• John B. Laraway, Council Member

Based on the new development approved by the City of Kuna, in 10 years, Kuna School District will need six elementary schools, two middle schools and potentially two high schools to serve 2,700 more students if residential development continues at the current rapid pace.

Members of the Capital Plan Task Force including Trustee Russ Johnson, Director of School Services Brian Graves and Parent/Community members Kristy Hardy and Alicia Cotterell shared the growth data during an update to the Board of Trustees.

The task force is charged with updating the district's capital plan and making a recommendation to the Board in November. Currently, the task force has drafts of a 10-year vision for the district and drafts of the first projects to tackle.

During August and September, the task force will gather community feedback to finalize their recommendation to the Board.

Trustees and the task force members identified the following areas for feedback:

• What size should our high schools be 1,800 (current KHS size) or 1,200 students?
• Should the district continue its plan to build Swan Falls High School in phases? This approach allows the district to keep property tax bonds smaller and allow for other projects such as new elementary schools to be built.
• Both middle schools have facilities needs. Should the district improve one middle school and then the other or strive to improve both at the same time?
• What should be done with our three older elementary schools (Hubbard, Indian Creek, and Ross)? Invest in updates? Repurpose building for other programs? Sell the schools? Or?
• Should the district consider an ongoing "plant facilities levy" dedicated to maintenance and repair needs?

📝 Review the written report here.

➡️ Review the presentation slides here.

📺 Watch the board presentation here.

Trustees unanimously approved a proposal to set a framework for developers to voluntarily provide funding or donations to help pay for the cost of growth in our schools. (In Idaho, schools are not included in required impact fees. More on that below.)

In reviewing the proposal, Strategic Partnership Director Danielle Horras said an update to our approach to voluntary contributions was needed. She said the district was in crisis in light of rapid growth in the community and the lack of classrooms for an estimated 2,700 new students expected in the next 10 years.

An analysis on the cost of growth on schools in Kuna identified a education cost of $32,700 per new residence. The proposal for the voluntary support contribution from developers would be 10 percent of the cost or $3,270 per unit. During the discussion, trustees shared that district officials had the discretion to work with developers to consider factors that could reduce that amount.

➡️ Review the presentation slides here.

📺 Watch the board presentation here.

The Board approved five resolutions (proposed changes to law or state policy) to submit to the Idaho School Board Association's membership for support in November. Resolutions include allowing schools to access Impact fees from new development. Other resolutions include:

• Restore state funds that were cut for technology, staff, professional development, and curriculum
• Improve funding for classified staff pay
• Count students who earn a GED toward a high school's graduation rates
• Update Statute 67-6513 - that addresses growth

• Count students who earn a GED toward a high school's graduation rates

➡️ Review the presentation slides here.

📺 Watch the board presentation here.

Director Brian Graves shared with the Board recognized that in June our Transportation Director Brenda Saxton was recognized as Idaho Transportation Director of the Year and our District Trainer Nancy Weisenburger who was named Idaho Driver Trainer of the Year by the Idaho Pupil Transportation Association.

The Board approved:

First reading of an update to Policy 540 Prohibition of Weapons

Consent agenda items:

• June 14, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes
• Accounts Payable
• Personnel Report
• School Financials
• Budget Status Report
• Trip Requests
• Project Tracker
• Community Development Tracker
• Notice of Attorney Fee Rate Increase
• Second Reading of Policy 421 Workplace Harassment/Bullying