Spring Updates!
April 2023
D91 Facilities Election Is May 16
D91 parents and patrons will go to the polls on May 16 to vote on a new School Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy. The levy would generate $3.3 million a year for the next 10 years. The district plans to use those funds for a new elementary school through a lease purchase agreement.
“This new approach gives us a way to do what we can with what we have to try and build a new elementary school on Idaho Falls’ south side,” said Board Chair Hillary Radcliffe. “It won’t address all the district’s facilities issues, however, the board will keep working with the community to find ways to resolve those other issues, specifically safety and security improvements and upgrades to Idaho Falls and Skyline high schools.
Lease purchase is like “rent to own,” which is a relatively new way to fund municipal construction projects. The method has been used successfully around the state, and it is the method the City of Idaho Falls is using to build its new police station. With a lease purchase agreement, a district contracts for the construction of the school, and then leases the building with the right to purchase it. When all the lease payments are paid at the end of 10 years, the district may purchase the building for $1, and then owns the building free and clear. Learn more about the lease purchase agreement on the D91 Facilities Election page.
The levy will cost $47 a year per $100,000 of taxable value. So, on a home with a taxable value of $300,000, the tax impact would be $141 a year. (To determine taxable value in this example, you’d take the Home Value of $425,00 minus the $125,000 Homeowners Exemption and get $300,000 in Taxable Value.)
The district’s overall tax rate – what patrons pay to schools through property taxes – will be less, even with the new levy, because the district’s 2012 bonds will be paid off in August and will drop off the property tax rolls. To learn more about the tax impact of the levy and how the recently passed Property Tax Relief legislation might impact D91 taxpayers, go to the D91 Facilities Election page.
On Election Day, D91 patrons will vote where they vote in any other election. Polls will be open from 8 am to 8 p.m. If you are not sure where to vote or have other questions about the election, check with the Bonneville County Elections office.Search for New D91 Superintendent is Underway
The search for a new superintendent to lead Idaho Falls School District 91 is underway. The Board of Trustees last week announced four semi-finalists for the position. Those semi-finalists are:
Becky Hogancamp, D91 principal at A.H. Bush Elementary School
Karla LaOrange, Elementary Education Faculty Program Director and Department Chair at BYU-I
Dr. Scott Rogers, a principal in the Davis School District, Utah
Kristoffer Smith, D91 Director of Curriculum and Professional Development
Board members are reviewing candidate references this week. They will interview the candidates during the Board Work Session on Tuesday, April 25. As part of that interview process, the semi-finalists will meet with a committee of parent, patron and D91 staff representatives. Board members will consider input from that committee as they select the finalists. The board hopes to name finalists after that work session and announce a new superintendent in early May.
Ready, Set, Go!
Mark Your Calendar!
Take time to celebrate all the great work our teachers do. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12.
Summer Meals at Kate Curley Park!
Important Dates:
- April 21: Deadline for all D91 Ed Foundation Scholarship, 4:30 p.m.
- April 25: Board of Trustees Work Session, 4:30 p.m., IFHS Library
- May 10: Board of Trustees Business Meeting, 5:30 p.m., IFHS Library
- May 16-18: 4th Grade Annual Rendezvous, Tautphaus Park
- May 22-23: 6th Grade Annual Track Meet, Ravsten Stadium
- May 23: Emerson & IFHS Graduations, Mountain America Center
- May 24: Compass & SHS Graduations, Mountain America Center
- May 26: Last Day of School, No Late Start, 90-minute Early Release
D91 to Hold Graduations at Mountain America Center
Idaho Falls School District 91 is proud to announce all D91’s high schools will hold graduation ceremonies at the Mountain America Center in May.
“We are excited to hold our high school graduation ceremonies at the Mountain America Center. Our graduates will now be able to celebrate this special milestone with more family members, mentors and special guests, and this state-of-the-art facility will allow us to make these celebrations more special than ever,” said Supt. Dr. Jim Shank.
D91’s ceremonies will be held over two days with Emerson Alternative High School holding its graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23; Idaho Falls High School at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, Compass Academy at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24 and Skyline High School at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24. If you have a senior, check with your high school for more information about upcoming senior events.Input on K-6 ELA Curriculum
The Board of Trustees wants to hear from parents and patrons as they consider adoption of a new K-6 English Language Arts curriculum. After an extensive review, a committee of teachers and parents has recommended Amplify CKLA for K-5 and Amplify ELA for grade 6.
Parents and patrons can provide input on the recommended curriculum during a 30-day review period. By clicking on the links above, they can access digital samples of the materials and provide input through an online survey. The materials are also available for in-person review at all D91’s elementary schools and from 7:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the district office, 690 John Adams Parkway.
Parents can also learn more about the curriculum at an Open House planned from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, at the District Office, 690 John Adams Parkway. If you have any questions about the materials, contact Elementary Curriculum Coordinator Todd Brown at browtodd@sd91.org or D91 Curriculum Director Kris Smith at smitkris@sd91.org. The board is expected to take action on the recommendation at its next business meeting on May 10, 2023.New World Language Curriculum Under Review
Parents and patrons have an opportunity to provide input on a new World Language curriculum as the Board of Trustees considers new materials for D91’s Spanish, German and French courses.
After an extensive review, a committee of D91 foreign language teachers recommended the World Language Curriculum. The materials are currently on a 30-day review. Click on this link to learn more about the materials, access digital resources and provide input to the board through an online survey. An Open House for the World Languages Curriculum is planned from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at the District Office, 690 John Adams Parkway. If you have questions about the materials, contact Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Lisa Armstrong at armslisa@s91.org. The board is expected to take action on the recommendation at its next business meeting on May 10, 2023.Heart of Idaho Century Ride
D91 Proud
CTEC Achievements!
Register Your Kindergartener TODAY!
Remember! All-Day Kindergarten registration is currently underway. D91’s elementary schools hold kindergarten orientation activities the first week in May so make sure to register your child so they don’t miss kindergarten roundup. And, please help spread the word to friends and neighbors.
It’s easy to register for kindergarten online by completing the registration form and uploading your child’s official birth certificate and current immunization records. In Idaho, children must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to attend kindergarten.
If you’re not sure what school your child is zoned to attend, check out our “Find Your School” tool. If your child needs immunizations, contact your family doctor or contact the Eastern Idaho Public Health at (208) 522-0310. Questions? Check with your neighborhood school or call the district office at (208) 525-7500. We can’t wait to teach your child!
Free Mental Health Night!
Worried about your child moving from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school? Struggling with your teenager? Just looking for guidance on how you can strengthen your parenting skills in these challenging times? Through D91’s ongoing partnership with ParentGuidance.org, we are pleased to offer a virtual Mental Health Night from 6 to 6:45 p.m on Wednesday, April 26.
This special event will give parents a chance to gain valuable tips and also learn more about all the available mental health resources such as online e-courses, parent coaching and Ask a Therapist. Register TODAY or learn more at parentguidance.org.
4A Idaho Athletic Director:
American Legion’s Educator of the Year:
Skyline National Idaho Art Teacher
Apply Today!
D91’s Early Childhood Education Program is currently accepting applications for peer models to learn alongside similarly aged friends who have developmental delays or disabilities.
Benefits of the early childhood program for peer models include: learning opportunities, vocabulary enrichment, early literacy practice, school readiness skills, the development of social skills including compassion and empathy and the development of positive perceptions of children with disabilities.
The district’s Early Childhood Education Program next year will be held at Hawthorne and AH Bush elementary schools. Sessions are typically held on Mondays and Wednesday or Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a tuition-based program and space is limited. Questions? Call the Early Childhood Special Education office at (208) 525-7653 or learn more and apply for the 2023-24 school year here.
Board Approves Boundary Changes To Address Growth
As part of its efforts to address growth and overcrowding, the Board of Trustees has approved boundary changes for Sunnyside and Edgemont elementary schools and AH Bush and Temple View elementary schools.
To address growth and overcrowding on Idaho Falls’ south side, the board approved a plan to move Edgemont’s current boundary south to 65th South and also east to include the Dunes and surrounding subdivisions. To address future growth on Idaho Falls’ north side, A.H. Bush’s boundary will move north to just south of Pevero Drive. The changes will go into effect this fall.
We recognize that boundary changes are challenging, and D91 administrators and staff are now working with schools and families to try and ease the transition. Incoming 6th graders in the impacted areas will have the option to remain at their current school so they don’t change schools, and then change schools again when they make the transition to 7th grade.
Parents and patrons can learn more about the boundary changes and all the boundary change process by going to the project website.
Time Is Running Out. Apply For Scholarships Today!
The D91 Education Foundation is offering D91 graduating seniors and D91 graduates more scholarships than ever before, but time is running out. The application deadline for all Ed Foundation scholarships is Friday, April 21.
Heart of D91 Scholarship: The Heart of D91 Go On Award can be used to pay for training, career certifications, apprenticeships, community college, technical school or university. This year there will be six $1,000 scholarships with three for D91 graduating seniors and three for D91 graduates. Students must submit an application, a resume and make time for a short interview in May. The scholarship is funded by proceeds from the Heart of Idaho Century Ride so a big shoutout to all the riders and sponsors who support that event. The Ed Foundation couldn’t offer this scholarship without you!
William J. and Shirley A. Maeck Family Foundation Scholarship: At least one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from any of D91’s four high schools. Students must complete an application, which includes a short essay.
Odd Fellows Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is made possible through a partnership with the Odd Fellows’ Bingham Lodge #14. It provides two $5,000 each year – one for a D91 graduating senior and another for a D91 graduate who is now a sophomore or junior at an Idaho college or approved training program.
GoTigers! Scholarship: This scholarship opportunity is available only to seniors graduating from Idaho Falls High School. It provides at least $2,000 for tuition and fees at an accredited university, community college or technical school.
Applications can be dropped off at any high school counseling office, with any high school college or career advisor or at the D91 District Office, 690 John Adams Parkway by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 21. They can also be emailed no later than 4:30 p.m. to edfoundation@sd91.org. Learn more on the D91 Education Foundation website.
Attn 4th Graders!
IFHS Student on American Idol
We are #D91Proud of Paige Anne! Tune into American Idol
next week to see if she will continue on. Watch how she did here!