MV School Board Begins Look Into Eight Lane Track as Ruth Earns a Podium Spot at State

Meadows Valley School Board met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 12. A pre-meeting budget workshop took place beforehand. A public budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. before the regular June board meeting. Public comment will be welcome.

Superintendent Dee Fredrickson gave her monthly report and highlighted the elementary Spring Concert, the Celebration of Learning event scheduled for Thursday, May 21, Eighth Grade Graduation scheduled the same day at 6:00 p.m. and an update on behavior. Fredrickson also noted Summer project plans. The board has already approved a bid for parking lot resealing and painting, and during this meeting, the board heard a presentation from Chad Kellogg with K12 Tech to discuss upgrades to the school security and communication systems. These could include interclassroom communication devices and the intercom/PA system.

Vice Principal and Athletic Director Jared McIlvain discussed the current status of middle and high school track and field teams, pointing out Natalie Ruth who won District Champion for pole vault and was heading to the State competition later that week. He also asked the board for approval to take next steps in planning stages for development of an 8 lane track. Board Trustee Jeffrey Luff asked about fundraising efforts and timeline while Trustee Barbara Dixon asked about estimated cost. McIlvain said they have formed a committee to research and plan. They have been speaking with Crestline Engineering to put together a quote for work to address field drainage issues and potentially design the track layout. The next step would be for the design to go to bid and the Board could approve one bid from any received submissions.

Of the project cost, McIlvain said they are looking at an overall cost of around $500,000. He also said the request for blueprints for a drainage plan included a request to not to exceed $4,000. Board Clerk Megan Murdock added that they had applied for grant funding from The Fosdick and planned to apply for further grant funding. McIlvain said the timeline would include hopefully finishing a dirt track in the next year and possibly finalizing the full project in the next five years.

An 8 lane track would allow the school to host district and division meets which McIlvain said would be a great benefit to our local economy. Luff also asked about the baseball diamond and McIlvain said one solution for that could be to make the backstop area dual purpose for a discus ring.

Jonathan Gillen with Charter Impact presented the monthly financial report.

Hoyt Rhodes presented his Senior Project which included refurbishing large 3D targets for archery, creating bow stands, and pursuing an archery program for the school with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Rhodes detailed the process including all the trouble shooting needed to repair the 7 3D targets. An NASP program would provide for in school archery coaching for students in grades 4 through 12, which could be incorporated into PE programming.

Rhodes also presented an outline of the upcoming Senior Trip to Boise supported by advisor Paige Walker.

The Board approved salary schedules and terms of employment for both certified and non-certified staff after some discussion and adjustments.

An action item was added at the beginning of the meeting. The Board approved reassignment of Terri Smith to full time elementary teacher for the 2026-27 school year. The school is still seeking a secondary science teacher and a school counselor.