Jefferson School District 251

Dear Parents,

It has been another wonderful year in the Jefferson School District. Our students and teachers have accomplished so much throughout the year, we have excelled in many areas both academically and in extra-curricular activities. Our district mission is to “Provide each student with a high-quality education.” I believe this is more than just good test scores, this is the opportunity to explore interests and talents. For some that means learning a new language, for others it means learning a skill or trade, it may mean joining a club or team, or performing on stage. While test scores are important, there are so many other areas where our students can and do excel. Our goal is to give students opportunities and resources to find their success and begin to write their own stories as they prepare for their future. With that being said, we are also so proud of our student’s success academically, our ISAT scores are at or above the state average in almost all areas. In addition, last year our middle school scores were among the top in the State. We are so proud of our students for excelling in and out of the classroom.

As we approach the summer break, we want to assure you that the district will continue to keep you informed of any important updates or announcements. To stay connected and up-to-date with the latest information, we kindly ask that you check your email from time to time.

Your ongoing involvement and support are invaluable to us, and we are committed to keeping the lines of communication open throughout the summer months. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 208.745.6693.

We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable remainder of the month of May and the for the summer break ahead.

Sincerely,

Chad Martin, Superintendent

Governor Little visited Jefferson Elementary School yesterday to present a ceremonial check to the district in the amount of $28,118,191. These funds, made available through the passage of House Bill 521 signed into law in March 2024, are designated exclusively for the maintenance of existing buildings, the construction of new buildings, or for saving towards future building projects.

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Principal, Richard Howard. After an incredible 37 years of service to Jefferson School District 251, Principal Howard will be stepping down from his role to spend more time with his family and go on more traveling adventures with his wife.

Principal Howard's joined the school district in 1987, and since then, he has been a essential part of our school community. His dedication, passion for education, and commitment to the success of every student have left a mark on the hearts and minds of our staff and students.

We want to express our gratitude to Principal Richard Howard for his outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to Jefferson School District 251. While we will miss him, we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

We would like to introduce you to the new Transportation Director, Joshua Spangler. Mr. Spangler is currently serving as the Fleet Maintenance Manager at CVR Energy Inc. in Paul's Valley, OK, Spangler brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

In his current position, Spangler has demonstrated exceptional leadership and proficiency in overseeing a diverse array of responsibilities. From asset management to project coordination, facility contracts, and fleet maintenance operations, he has consistently delivered outstanding results. Furthermore, Spangler has played a pivotal role in driving the company's reporting initiatives, meticulously tracking performance metrics, managing insurance claims, and orchestrating fleet retirements with precision.

Driven by a desire to embrace new opportunities and reunite with family, Spangler eagerly anticipates relocating to the Rigby area. His decision reflects not only his commitment to professional growth but also his personal ties to the community.

We are excited to welcome Joshua Spangler to our team. His track record of success and dedication to his employer and employees makes him a valuable addition to the school district.

We also want to extend our gratitude to Mr. Southwick for his unwavering dedication to the district and transportation department. While his retirement marks the end of an era, we celebrate his well-deserved transition. Mr. Southwick's contributions will be fondly remembered, and his absence will be deeply felt.

We are excited to share some administrative changes for the upcoming school year. Please join us in welcoming the following individuals to their new roles within our district:

• Ty Shippen will transition from Assistant Principal at Rigby High School to the role of Athletic Director.
• Cathy Barrus, a distinguished mathematics educator at Rigby High School, has been named Assistant Principal. Cathy's proven dedication to academic excellence and her commitment to student success make her a valuable addition to our administrative team.
  

• Camille Cureton, Principal of Jefferson High School, will conclude her tenure with the district at the end of the school year as she embarks on a new journey at BYU-Idaho. We extend our best wishes to her.
• Phil Abshire will step into the role of Principal at Jefferson High School, bringing with him his experience as Assistant Principal at Rigby High School.
• Chase Crook will transition from Assistant Principal at Farnsworth Middle School to assume the role of Assistant Principal at Rigby High School.

• Ashlee Kite has been named the new Assistant Principal at Farnsworth Middle School. With a background deeply rooted in education, Ashlee brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering student growth and development.
  

• Ryan Erikson, who currently serves as Assistant Principal at Rigby Middle School, will be assuming the role of Principal beginning the 2024-2025 school year, succeeding the esteemed Richard Howard.

We have full confidence in our new administrators abilities to build upon the foundation of excellence already established and to continue the exceptional work underway.

Students, staff, and members of the community gathered to witness a momentous occasion: the groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited Roberts Elementary School gymnasium.

It was a day filled with excitement, anticipation, and a sense of collective pride as we took the first steps towards realizing this important milestone in the school's history. We are thankful for our communities support of this bond project.

The groundbreaking for our CTE building at Rigby High School took place earlier this month. We want to thank Superintendent Critchfield for joining us for this special occasion. We would also like to thank the board of trustees, superintendent, administrators, and CTE teachers who worked so hard to make this happen for our students. The project is funded by a $5.3 million grant awarded by the Idaho Career Ready Students Program.

The CTE building will house auto mechanics, robotics, cyber security, and certified nursing assistant programs. Completion of the project is estimated to be completed by December 2024.

The Rigby High School Softball Team has been honored as the 2024 5A Spring Sports Academic State Champions by the Idaho High School Activities Association. This prestigious award is given to a varsity team that attains the highest cumulative grade point average, reflecting not only their dedication to athletic success but also their commitment to academic excellence.

We extend our congratulations to these exceptional student-athletes for their outstanding academic achievement and unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the field. As a school district, we take pride in celebrating the achievements of our students.

We are excited to share the incredible news that both our Rigby High School Girls and Boys Track Teams have secured first place in the district championships! This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of our student-athletes, as well as the exceptional guidance and coaching provided by our coaching staff.

We extend our congratulations to each and every member of our Girls and Boys Track Teams for their extraordinary accomplishment. Your dedication, sportsmanship, and spirit have brought great pride and honor to Rigby High School, and we couldn't be more proud of you.

• There are 2,067 students enrolled at Rigby High School.
  
• Students took 2,752 dual credit courses at the high school.
  
• Over 8,011 dual credits were earned by high school students this year.
• Rigby High School has 43 students who will be graduating with their associate degree.
  
• Students at Rigby High School were awarded $12.4 million in scholarships.
  

Beginning the first week of June, the district office will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The district office will be closed on Fridays.

Whether you have questions, or require assistance, we welcome you to stop by the office. You can also reach us by phone at 208.745.6693.

May 22 Rigby High School Graduation @ BYU-I Center 6:30 p.m.

May 23 Jefferson High School Graduation @ Rigby High School Auditorium 6:30 p.m.

May 27 Memorial Day Holiday, No School

May 31 Last Day of School

August 29 Back to School Night

September 2 Labor Day Holiday, No School

September 3 First Day of School