senior-trip-approval-celebrating-volunteers-and-an-eye-to-the-future
The Meadows Valley School Board held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, May 14. A group of three senior students and two parents also attended the meeting. Agenda items included discussions of recent hires, Superintendent and Principals reports, Senior Trip, the 2024-2025 school calendar, and the Athletic Director’s review of Spring and upcoming Athletics happenings.
The senior students, the current Meadows Valley Senior Class President Jordyn White, Vice President Mariah Rambo, and Alexis May, presented a thorough overview with timelines and a detailed budget for their proposed senior trip. After board review, the trip was approved. The group of seven, including chaperones and five senior students, traveled to the Boise area for a full weekend of fun and celebration. The trip included a special dinner and a tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. The students have worked hard over the years to raise money for their class with many fundraising events.
Superintendent Dee Fredrickson reported that the District is in process of applying for an Early Childhood Education Grant through Blue Cross of Idaho. The grant would help fund early childhood education and new furnishings in the City preschool and daycare facility that is projected to open this Fall.
New hires for the coming school year include Ryan McIlvain for 2nd grade, Linda Kollman for K-12 Music, Rachael Melad as Ag & Shop teacher, and Cynthia Dittmer for K-12 Art.
Prospective Student Council members gave speeches during school last week and a vote took place for next year’s Council.
Anyone caught up on school work in middle school or high school will participate in a field trip to Ponderosa State Park on May 28th for hiking and activities in celebration of their hard work and the end of the school year. May 30th is the last day of school. There will be an end of year field day with fun events and ice cream for students.
Brandy Padgett, Athletic Director, reported on Spring sports and an overview of athletics topics for next school year. The high school Track & Field Team participated in District Finals recently. There were quite a few students very close to qualifying for State Finals, so there are high hopes for next year. Middle School Track & Field and the Golf Team have wrapped up their seasons. Jared McIlvain will continue working with the school co-op Football team. The school will have a JV Volleyball Squad next year and they are looking for a potential coach.
ISAT Testing is done and went well. Work is moving along on a Federal Programs Grant application due in June. Staff and teachers have been working hard to finalize and adjust curriculum for the new school year. There will be more training to come.
Fredrickson went to a School Law Seminar in April. Topics included loss/risk transfer, public records requests, accidents occurring on campus after school hours, education employment law, violations to code of ethics and providing leadership in this area, and legal principals concerning school discipline.
The school has hired a part-time handyman for taking care of larger building maintenance and projects. A full time Custodian/Maintenance Director position is still open. A plumbing mapping and clearing project is in the works.
Katey Basye, the school Assistant Principal, shared about school volunteers and IRI Testing. This school year there were 154.5 volunteer hours logged. Volunteers are very appreciated. Istation/IRI testing occurs in the Fall and Spring and testing results go to the State Education Department for reporting. The Kindergarten class all tested at or above grade level. Kindergarten through 3rd grade had an overall 9% improvement from September to May. 11th Grade ELA scores are 91% at or above proficient.
An outline was shared by Basye of the family and community engagement events from the past school year. The school was able to be involved in some great community events as well as hosting events to highlight student work.
The 2024-2025 School Calendar was approved after board review. It will be similar to this past school year. The public meeting was adjourned for a private executive session following a vote of agreement. The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11.
