School Board meets
The school board approved the school calendar for the 2024-25 school year at the school board meeting Monday, Dec. 18.
The new school year will start in September the day after Labor Day, which is about a week later than usual.
The meetings in January and February fall on holidays. The board decided to keep January’s meeting on the same date. They voted to move February’s meeting to Thursday, Jan. 22, more because Superintendent Jon Rehder will be in Boise at meetings the early part of that week than the holiday.
The open enrollment policy was discussed and then approved. The new policy puts an upper limit of 38 students per grade level except for the senior class which is limited to 33. Open enrollment slots would be available to out of district students only if their grade level has less than 38 students currently enrolled. Applicants are prioritized by: 1) if their parent/guardian is employed by the school; 2) they have a brother or sister enrolled in the district; 3) first come/first served; 4) have a unique or extraordinary circumstance. The senior class limit is lower due to graduation requirements which may be different at the different schools.
Other policy updates were reviewed and then tabled to their third reading at January’s meeting.
In the administrative reports Matt Elven reported 10 HOSA students went to the U of I for Doc for a Day on Dec. 2 and were introduced to the WWAMI program and activities related to careers in health care.
The school received over 2,400 canned food items, $5,600 in class donations and over $1,400 in business donations for the local food bank as part of the Idaho County Shootout.
Prairie League’s Daddy Date Night had 54 girls and their fathers attending.
The junior class completed the ASVAB placement test on Dec. 4. Interpretation of results will be done on Jan. 12.
The Christmas Concert took place on Dec. 4 with over 40 parents and community members in attendance.
On Dec. 5 the BPA Regional Competition was held with 11 of 13 students competing qualifying for state.
The Jr. High Drug-Free party was held Dec. 11 with nearly all junior high students in attendance.
Upcoming events are the PHS Alumni Games on Dec. 26; FAFSA Night on Jan. 17; School Ski Day on Jan. 19 and the Prom date has been set for April 27.
Jon Rehder reported the R3 assembly was held Dec. 8. Due to holidays shortening the number of school days in November and December this was a combined assembly for the two months.
Progress reports went out Dec. 6.
The Christmas concert on Dec. 15 was well attended. Ms. Baldwin did a great job with the students.
In his facilities report, Rehder noted the new addition has a few things to finalize. They will be doing some painting over Christmas Break. He reported the 4^th grade classes are loving it.
An appraiser came to the District on Dec. 6 to look at the buildings. They do this about every 6 years.
Possible future projects include:
New windows at the high school with possible grant opportunities to fund it.
Enclosing the breezeway between the K-1 building and the cafeteria for safety and security reasons. May be a school safety grant available for funding it.
Membrane replacement on the high school gym roof. Rehder said Andrew Miller things they can go another 2-3 years before it is needed.
Complete the paint job at the Elementary School this summer
Replace 5 doors on the lower classroom level going to the recess field.
Paint the siding at the high school.
In his superintendent report the last day of school before Christmas break will be Wednesday, Dec. 20.
He met with State Senator Cindy Carlson on November 14 and had a good conversation. He reached out to Charlie Shepherd to meet with him as well.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 15, at 7 p.m.