Blackfoot District #55 | minutes | meeting 2026-03-19 | March source: https://docs.d55.k12.id.us/MeetingMinutes/3_19_26.pdf Board of Trustees’ Meeting March 19, 2026 District Office 6:30 p.m. 270 East Bridge Street Blackfoot, Idaho Minutes Chairwoman Mary Jo Marlow called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Marlow welcomed the audience and led them in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members in attendance were Chairwoman Mary Jo Marlow, Vice Chairman Carlos Mercado, Treasurer Cleon Chapman, Trustee Taryn Shoyo, and Trustee David Barlow. Also in attendance were Superintendent Brian Kress, Assistant Superintendent Ryan Wilson, Board Clerk Jennifer Hatch, and Federal Programs Director Becky Walker. Approval of the Agenda- There were no changes to the posted agenda. Indigenous Club Student Recognition- Mrs. Marlow welcomed the students and patrons in attendance. The time was turned over to RosaLee Tendoy, the BHS Indigenous Club President. The club officers and royalty were introduced. The Indigenous Club students from BHS, IHS, and BOSS helped facilitate the 4" grade field trip to Fort Hall. The field trip was divided into 6 sections. Students presented information about each of the sections. At the Shoshone-Bannock Museum the students learned about horse culture, the Fort Bridger Treaty, Sacajewea, the Boise Valley Newe (Tribal people), hunting fish, the Fort Hall Boarding School, Chief Pocatello, and Native American Veterans. At Fort Hall Elementary the students learned about Traditional dancing. At Timbee Hall the students learned Traditional games. At the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel the students learned about Traditional foods, language and culture, medicine plants; students played a hunting game and learned about spear fishing. At the next station the students learned storytelling and made a Traditional craft. A video featuring the IHS students and what they taught the students was shared. The video included pictures from the Field Trip. Mr. Kress spoke to the students in attendance. We started the 4"" grade field trip 4 years ago. It started with adults doing the bulk of the work. It is now owned and built by the students. Mr. Kress and the board are so happy with what the field trip has grown into. They thanked the students for all of their hard work. Our youth are amazing! Public Forum — One staff member came forward to talk about curriculum and her concern regarding our curriculum review process. She feels like more trust needs to be placed in our educators and parents. If book choices are filtered out by the curriculum committee it takes away the parent’s rights. She does not want the committee to narrow access to curriculum novel choices before parents can be part of the decision. Superintendent Update (Information) — Mr. Kress shared that we have started the bidding process on the renovation of the I.T. Stoddard building. It will become part of Blackfoot High School and house part of the CTE programs. Welding classes are taking place in our CTE building. February Financial Report (Information) — The February Financial Report was presented by Mr. Kress. (See Attachment A) Elementary Online School (Information) — Mr. Kress read the following statement: “Once again, I feel that I need to adjust my mindset. While I still maintain the sentiment that for early learners a classroom teacher is the best method to provide learning, I must admit there appears to be a desire for young learners to learn via an online method. I have been amazed at the response to our secondary online school (BOSS). I truly believe we need to 1 Board Meeting Minutes 3/19/2026 explore the option of providing an online learning platform for our elementary students. I am afraid that if you do not evolve, we may be left behind. Please be advised, I will maintain the same focus as we have for BOSS. Our first priority will be to serve the elementary students in our school district. However, just like BOSS, I am sure word will spread that we do things different than other online providers and we will eventually grow beyond our school district. I would like to advertise for a position of % time Wapello interventionist and % online elementary school position. The responsibility of the online elementary school position will be to research and prepare for opening an elementary online school for the 2027-2028 school year. I strongly believe a year of preparation will be the best first step toward this goal. I feel that we need to have a strong foundation before we roll an online elementary school out to our community.” Mr. Kress realizes that the online system may not be viewed by everyone as the best platform to teach our young learners. However, parents and students are looking for more options that fit their lifestyle and needs. He is afraid that we are losing students to other districts who offer Elementary online programs. The Blackfoot Online Jr/Sr School has been immensely successful. We may be pleasantly surprised at the potential success of an elementary program. Concern was expressed by board members that test scores are very low in other districts that have tried an online elementary program. There is also concern over the lack of human interaction the students would have. The BOSS program focuses on supporting the students and requires them to come in person if they aren’t progressing. It is a partnership between the school, the parents, and the students. The goal of an online elementary would be very similar. Flexibility, increased student anxiety, and family choice are cited as reasons parents may choose an online option. Another opinion was expressed that we could potentially save students who are unable to attend brick and mortar buildings through an online program and if we can save any students, it would be worth it. Clarification was made that this is just something Mr. Kress would like to explore. The findings would be brought back to the board for the decision to move forward or not. It may be decided that it is not a good option for our district. However, Mr. Kress would like to explore the option with no plan to implement it until 2027-28 if it is decided to be a good fit. Mr. Kress would like to start with a survey of parents to see if they think it would be beneficial for our community. The board granted Mr. Kress permission to explore the option of an Elementary Online School. Legislative Update (Information) — The budget hearing has been postponed. We are hoping that we will continue to be spared from budget cuts. HB 623, the Moment of Silence Bill, looks likely to pass. It mandates holding a daily 1-minute moment of silence in each building. The “Recess Bill” mandates a 20- minute daily outdoor recess for student in K-5" grade, with indoor accommodations if weather prevents outdoor activity. It also encourages schools to provide other physical activities throughout the day. Individuals can still miss recess for discipline issues, but the whole class cannot be withheld from recess. Mr. Kress believes this one may proceed through the legislature. April Board Meeting Location (Information) — It is a tradition of the Blackfoot School District that the April meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Fort Hall Elementary School in Fort Hall, ID. This meeting will be held on April 23, 2026. Curriculum Update (Action) — Mrs. Walker spoke about the novels that were introduced for review last month. The curriculum committee reviewed several titles with no concerns. Two novels, The Help and A Raisin in the Sun, were met with concern. Some committee members feel that the opt-in process empowers parents to have a say in what their students are exposed to. As a district we feel, and the law requires, that we are transparent with our patrons. Mrs. Walker shared a synopsis, key plot points, and areas of concern for both novels in question. Curriculum is an emotionally charged subject within the committee and in our 2 Board Meeting Minutes 3/19/2026 community. The committee does recommend approving all novels. Hamlet, The Help, and A Raisin in the Sun would all require opt-in letters. If a parent has questions about a particular novel, they are given the opportunity to contact the school or Mrs. Walker to get more detailed information about the specific novels. Discussion was held about each board members feelings regarding approving the novels. Mr. Barlow moved that the board of trustees approve the curriculum recommendations, with the exception of The Help and A Raisin in the Sun, as presented by Mrs. Walker. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. All approved. Mr. Chapman motioned that A Rasin in the Sun be approved as a novel study in our curriculum. Mr. Mercado seconded the motion. Mrs. Marlow- aye, Mr. Mercado- aye, Mr. Chapman- aye, Ms. Shoyo- aye, Mr. Barlow- nay. The motion is approved. Mr. Chapman motioned that the Board of Trustees NOT approve The Help as a novel study in our curriculum. Mr. Barlow seconded the motion. All approved. 2025-26 School Calendar (Action) — Mr. Kress shared our 2025-26 school calendar with the board. Every year we account for snow days in our instructional hours. We have had no snow days this year. Mr. Kress would like to adjust the calendar and give the students a “snow day” on the last day of school. The last student day would be Wednesday, May 27", and would be a full instructional day. Staff would still be expected to work on May 28" and 29" to facilitate end-of-the-year activities and obligations. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the change to the 2025-26 Calendar as presented by Mr. Kress. Mr. Barlow seconded the motion. All approved. Rezoning Update (Action) — The rezoning committee met 4 times to finalize a recommendation to present to the board. Mr. Kress shared a PowerPoint presentation with the board. Our current number of seniors is 365 students. We only have 226 Kindergarten students. We are a shrinking district. Other districts in our area are struggling with this issue as well. We are funded by the state for 204 Certified positions. We currently have 227 Certified staff members. We will be reducing 5 Certified Elementary positions, all through natural attrition. Our K-5" grade classrooms are currently under capacity by 201 students. Financially, we cannot sustain this. We need to redistribute our students. Generally, a rezoning is prompted due to a visible stressor such as overcrowded classrooms and buildings. Our stressor is financial. The recommendation from the committee is to redistribute students in the Ridge Crest, Groveland, and Wapello zones. Current 4" graders can choose to remain at Ridge Crest Elementary for their final year. This does not allow younger siblings to remain in that school as well. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the rezoning plan as presented by Mr. Kress. Mr. Barlow seconded the motion. All approved. Extended Resource Consolidation (Information) - Mr. Kress shared the following statement: “With the approved rezoning, Ridge Crest Elementary School will have at least 5 vacant classrooms. This provides us with an opportunity to consolidate a very important program we have in the Blackfoot School District. Currently our elementary “extended resource” classrooms are housed in three separate buildings: Kindergarten and 1* grade at Riverbend Elementary School, 2™ grade and 3 grade at Donald D. Stalker Elementary School, and 4" grade and 5" grade at Groveland Elementary School. This mandates three transitions, moving buildings, for some of our most vulnerable students in the district. For some, the impact of these transitions can take quite a while to overcome. | With the vacant classrooms at Ridge Crest Elementary School, I would like to investigate the consolidation of our elementary “extended resource” classrooms to Ridge Crest Elementary School. I must acknowledge that this may not be a long-term solution. Should Ridge Crest Elementary School start growing due to residential development AND that development bringing school-aged children, we would need to start adding teachers back to Ridge Crest and would need those classrooms. So, I am not sure of which is the right answer, keep things as they are or consolidate 3 Board Meeting Minutes 3/19/2026 while we can? I would like to send out a survey to the parents of our extended resources students to inquire of their wishes. Mr. Kress shared that the Ridge Crest principal supports investigating this option. Concern was shared over the potential of having the students change buildings again if there is growth in the next few years. However, the Elementary Extended Resource students currently transition to 3 separate buildings. There is a K-1 location, a 2-3 location, and a 4-5 location. The board granted permission for Mr. Kress to do further research regarding the Consolidation of the Extended Resource classrooms. Motion to Executive Session (Action) — Mr. Mercado moved that the board of trustees recess into executive session in the manner and for the purposes authorized by Section 74-206, Idaho Code (1) (a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, (b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. Mrs. Marlow noted that this is proper business for consideration in executive session as per Idaho Code 74-206. All board members in attendance voted in the affirmative in a roll call vote. Mrs. Marlow — aye. Mr. Mercado — aye. Mr. Chapman — aye. Ms. Shoyo — aye. Mr. Barlow — aye. The motion passed. March 19, 2026 9:02 p.m. Executive Session Mr. Kress presented the personnel recommendations. The board reconvened into open session at 9:23 p.m. Consent Agenda (Action) — Mrs. Marlow asked if there were any questions regarding items on the consent agenda. There were none. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the prior board meeting minutes, personnel recommendations as they appear below, the payment of February bills, student trips, and BPAC events. Mr. Mercado seconded the motion. All approved. The motion passed. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS New Hires Rieley Kent Shantelle Shurtz Transfers Heidi Cornell Patricia Wheatley Cason Zehntner Extracurricular Brittany Rainsdon Josh Stewart Kristen Thomas Resignations/Retirements Sharlene Bitter Erin Davis Kristin Earley (5/29/26) Carla McNeil (5/29/26) Position Classroom Paraprofessional (28 hrs) Indian Education Para (28 hrs) From Math Teacher- MVMS 4" Grade Teacher- RC 3" Grade Teacher- RC Position Tennis Assistant Coach Track Assistant Coach Track Assistant Coach Position Health Care Assistant- RN Media Paraprofessional (PT) Kindergarten Teacher Career Center Advisor 4 March 19", 2026 Location STA STA To Teacher- BOSS Interventionist- RC Teacher- GRO or RB Location BHS BHS BHS Location DW GRO STA BHS Board Meeting Minutes 3/19/2026 Linda Pilster (5/29/26) Interventionist RC Adam Smith (5/29/26) 5" Grade Teacher FH Tyrel Smith (5/29/26) Social Studies Teacher BHS Future Agenda Items (Information) — We would like to have a recognition of the CTE students held at the Student Center every January. The board loves having students attend our meetings to be recognized. They would like to see groups coming in more often. Elementary students could be invited in as well. Adjournment (Action) — Mr. Barlow moved that the March meeting of the board of trustees be adjourned. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. All approved. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 pm. Th ez LZ el; Qunna) WNotteho ary Jo oy, Chairvoman Jennifer Hatch, Clerk 5 Board Meeting Minutes 3/19/2026 BLACKFOOT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 55 FINANCIAL REPORT For the Month Ending: February 28, 2026 ZIONS BANK M & O- CMIA Account $ 1,025,282.08 Outstanding Checks $ (246,106.26) ZIONS BANK M&O TOTAL $ 779,175.82 DOL EVANS BANK { School Lunch) $ 335,032.28 INVESTMENTS - GENERAL OPERATIONS State Investment Poo! $ 10,332,130.84 PETTY CASH District Balance 2/28/2026 $ 3,500.00 TOTAL RECONCILED DISTRICT BANK FUNDS - February, 2026 $__11,449,838.94 TOTAL RECONCILED DISTRICT BANK FUNDS - February, 2025 $__12,490,169.20 Attachment A BLACKFOOT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 55 CASH FLOW STATEMENT ALL DISTRICT FUNDS For the Month Ending: February 2026 February 1, 2026 Balance Forward: $_—_—«8 391,343.41 REVENUE: Base State Support $ 6,518,896.54 Federal - Child Nutrition $ 88,778.13 Federal - Title |-A $ 83,792.38 Federal - IDEA $ 73,929.36 Other State Support $ 60,524.50 Federal - PL 81-874 impact Ald $ 56,069.00 Federal - Title Il-A Improving Teacher Quality $ 43,843.86 Earning Interest $ 29,078.89 Local - Property Tax $ 22,586.77 Local - Consortium Paper $ 21,503.78 Local - Child Nutrition $ 17,667.78 State - Career/Technical Education (C.T.E.) $ 16,698.00 Local Revenue (Rent, Donations, Tuition, Etc.) $ 10,983.60 Federal - IDEA Preschool $ 2,691.75 Federal - Title I!l-Federal EL $ 2,279.46 TOTAL REVENUE: $ 7,049,323.80 EXPENDITURES: February Payroll $ 2,769,962.62 Bond Payment $ 314,665.63 Transportation $ 291,447.91 Security Contract Services - SRO's $ 105,000.00 Custodial Contract $ 102,456.16 IDEA Contract Services $ 89,206.61 Utilities/Telephone $ 79,055.72 Instructional Suppplies $ 72,417.54 Food Services $ 70,608.99 Bidg. Repair, Maint., Supplies, Equip. $ 51,866.58 Technology Supplies $ 15,717.82 Travel, Mileage Reimb., In-service $ 12,637.77 Contract Services $ 10,373.60 Technology Contract Services $ 5,411.32 TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $ 3,980,828.27 NET DECREASE IN CASH POSITION: $ 3,058,495.53 ENDING BALANCE: $ 11,449,838.94 G FY26 Budgeted Revenue $ 39,067,007.00 FY26 Revenue To Date $ 35,062,078.67 89.7% FY26 Budgeted Expenditures $ 38,783,678.00 FY26 Expenditures To Date $ 22,092,224.13 57.0% FY25 Actual Total Revenue $ 36, 126,435.67 FY25 Actual Revenue thru 06/30/2025 $ 34,490,209.87 95.5% FY25 Actual Total Expenditures $ 36,473,638.03 FY25 Actual Expenditures thru 06/30/2025 $ 20,261,761.44 55.6% Crain Dis