The regular monthly meeting of the Oneida School Board was held on April 18, 2023, with all members present.  Longtime teacher Krishele Jensen was honored as the “Employee of the Month.” (See accompanying article.)

Students Honored

Several student groups were honored for their achievements. Representing the Malad High School FFA, Maisey Potter and Emma Lloyd reported on the State Leadership Conference held in Twin Falls and attended by six FFA members. After the Malad teams took part in Horse Judging and Floral Judging and several leadership meetings, the students toured Novolex, which makes bags for major retailers, and participated in a service project at Orton Botanical Gardens.

Sarah Young, representing the MHS Band and Choir, reported on the music groups’ tour to the University of Montana. The 35 members of the Band and Choir performed for music professors at the University and learned new skills to become better musicians. The Malad groups performed for two schools where music programs are struggling: Beaverhead High School in Dillon, Montana, and Butte County High School/Middle School in Arco, Idaho. Hopefully, by hearing the performances of a small high school’s excellent band and choir, more students at these schools will be encouraged to participate in music programs.

Six students of the MHS FCCLA reported on their State Competition at which the Malad students did well on their Star Competition events. Aubrey Corbett competed in Interior Design and received a bronze and placed 2nd.  Cora Asay competed in Hospitality Tourism and Recreation and received a silver and placed 2nd. Aubree Palmer (Creed Speaking), Camia Bean (Leadership) and McKenzie Leckie and Paige Wilson (Focus on Children) all received gold and placed 1st in their Star categories. Because Aubree’s event was Idaho only, she will not go to Nationals, but the others all qualified to go to the National Competition to be held in Denver.

Administrator Reports

Superintendent Jon Abrams and Board member Tresie Carter reported on events at Stone Elementary School, including the upcoming Grandparents’ Day, and information from the monthly newsletter, written by Jeanne Reeder.

Principal Sarah McIntyre of Malad Elementary School noted that a new reading curriculum had been selected, and, if the curriculum is approved by the Board, teachers will be attending professional development related to it. Because of a fence being installed around the construction site of the new elementary building, there have been a lot of changes in parking areas and bus and personal vehicle loading and unloading areas. 

Principal Robert Hannah of Malad Middle School reported that five Oneida School District students were among the top 12 winners in the 2023 Idaho State School Boards Association Student Photography Contest. Trever Allen (8th grade), Cassidy Schrenk (4th grade), Marshall Asay (8th grade), Samantha Schrenk (7th grade) and Rylee Talbot (8th grade) had their winning photos published in the ISBA magazine. Mr. Hannah also noted that 110 students are out for track this spring.

Assistant Principal Kory Kay of Malad High School announced that Spanish and chemistry would be offered next year. As required by the State, financial literacy will also be offered. Superintendent Abrams clarified that this class will not require another credit or additional staffing because it can be offered within the curriculum of a course like economics. The staff went to a professional development on Power School. Baseball and softball are finally underway.  Three track meets will be held on the new track this year, including the District meet. The greenhouse is close to being finished with water, electricity and heat installed and the second layer of pumice laid.

Administrator Terri Sorensen of the Idaho Home Learning Academy reported that 21 students qualified for the National Honor Society this year and that 20 more will be inducted next year. The valedictorian and salutatorian for this first IHLA graduating class have been selected. Almost all the honor students are from the Boise area. One of the partners, TechTrep, is planning graduation ceremonies in Boise and maybe Idaho Falls. Enrollment for next year is at 3859, which is about the same as at this time last year.

Superintendent Abrams announced that the District is financially sound and will easily be able to pay off the bond for the new elementary school. The Idaho Legislature made several changes in school funding, but the impact on school districts is not known, yet. The changes are anticipated to be positive for Oneida School District. The Idaho Health and Welfare Department has created a survey about vaping to be distributed electronically to all students in grades 6-12. Parents on behalf of their students and students can opt out of participating in the survey. No Board action is required although the Board will review the survey.

Mr. Abrams reported that the plans for the new elementary building are at the State for approval. He also noted that the plans for the ball diamonds at the high school are being finalized.

Summer Projects

The Board briefly reviewed the list of summer maintenance projects that will be funded by Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (COVID) or the District’s general maintenance and operations fund.  These projects include resurfacing the high school parking lots, completing the remodeling of the high school weight room, carpeting the high school music room and rooms in the middle school, refinishing the middle school gym floor, replacing the middle school and Stone School roofs and the roof above the high school weight room, painting in the high school, drilling a new well for the elementary school, completing electrical work in the auto shop and some remodeling in the IHLA building. All of these projects can be completed with funds on hand.

Personnel

The following personnel were approved by the Board, pending their passing the State-mandated background checks: Sonora Garrett as a bus aide; Madison Green as the Malad Middle School volleyball coach for 2023-24; Christie Schow as a MMS teacher for 2023-24; McKay Mickinee and Enoch Ward as Malad High School volunteer track coaches; Abrielle Goddard and Samantha Jensen as MHS volunteer cheer coaches; and Amanda Signer as a long-term substitute teacher for IHLA.