Ranger Blue “M” Now Installed On School Shop; Judgment Levy
Thanks to the efforts of two seniors, Danner Morris and Andrew Wiebe, a 12’ x 16’ blue “M” announces to everyone that this is indeed Midvale School. At the regular meeting of the school board on Monday night, the two presented their senior project. The original thought was to climb the hill south of town and repaint the rock “M” but changed to a sheet metal project. The sign is on the south end of the shop building.
Two other projects were presented. Haylee Lattimer and Kadince Eakins explained the process they used to conduct a clothing drive for needy Midvale families last December. They titled their drive “Tis the Season to Donate.”
The third project was the new metal gates at the school entrance, built by Peyton Waters and Moyne Ingram. They are also decorated with a blue “M” on each gate.
The board voted to approve a Judgment Levy which will appear on resident’s 2025 property tax bills. The levy is to settle the Idaho Power refund which occurred when the company overpaid statewide on property tax, according to the court. The note on the property tax bills will read “Midvale School Judgment”, with no mention of Idaho Power.
Superintendent Kylee Morris reported on the spring testing results. The school’s goal was to have K-3rd grades with 80% proficient on the Idaho Reading Indicator. The students came in at 79 percent which reflects the teachers’ efforts. The state average is 65 percent. The ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement Test) results were given for English, Math and Science. The Midvale fifth graders far outpaced the state average in science. Other results were mixed.
There are no open positions on the school staff now. New hires are Pat Griffin teaching fifth grade, Brian Steed teaching history, Tyler Waggoner (former history teacher) teaching ag, and Matt Jones is the new superintendent.
A new scholarship has been put in place to be activated upon the future death of the donor. Former student Mark Horning, 1964, is bequeathing $100,000 for scholarships to last ten years. Every student attending an Idaho College will receive $1,000 and everyone attending a trade school will receive $500.
There is a new garage for the school van, built by Mike Rebman, Barrett Morris, Albert Farrens, Wyatt Stiff, Moyne Ingram, Jacob Hamel and other student helpers.
The science and art classes have been involved in the Community Garden. A pollinator garden was planted and plants started in the greenhouse. The garden shed has been painted. They also did a milkweed project with the second and seventh grades.
Graduation is scheduled for May 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the new gym. This will be the first time to hold graduation in that place.
