The regular monthly meeting of the Oneida School Board was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, following a work session where policy changes were discussed.  At the beginning of the regular meeting, LaNada Bosworth was honored as the Oneida School District “Employee of the Month.”  (See accompanying article.)

Brandi Warren, District Business Manager, presented the 2024-2025 audit report. The report was favorable although the balance in reserves has gone down from $14 million to $10 million due to bond payments for the new elementary school.

1st Reading on Policy Changes

A first reading was heard on several policies:

Policy 1510: Board agendas will continue to be posted on the District Office door and website, the post office, and the courthouse.

Policy 9600: Stone Elementary needs to be added to the policy about rental and use of school facilities.

Policy 5100: Minor changes were made to bring the hiring process and criteria policy up to date.

Policy 2420: There were no changes to the family engagement policy.

Policy 3085: The District Superintendent will serve as the Oneida School District Title IX Coordinator, as updated in the sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation policy.

Policy 3330: Small changes were made to the student discipline policy, including eliminating Friday and Saturday detention and removing the corporal punishment statement. 

Policy 5110: A new policy related to criminal history and background checks has been in practice even if not a prior policy; this policy was recommended by the Idaho School Boards Association

Policy 5260: Recommended by the ISBA, this policy defines procedures for reporting of abused and neglected children.

These policies will now advance to a second reading at the next School Board meeting.

Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dallan Rupp reported that District enrollment is stable. He explained that the HVAC system in the new school is working well with teachers able to adjust the thermostats in their rooms +/- 3 degrees.  The valves for the irrigation system in the new ball fields have to be above ground; Construction Management is fixing the problem and will put a fence around the new valves.

Principal Jeanie Reeder of Stone Elementary School reported on improving test scores. She thanked the PTO and CSS Farms for sponsoring the Turkey Trot prizes. She noted that the Stone School students had gone into Malad for the Elementary School Veterans’ Program and for a tour of the Oneida Pioneer Museum.

Principal Sarah McIntyre of Malad Elementary School thanked everyone who had made the Veterans’ Program so successful, including American Legion Post #65.  She also thanked the Oneida County Ambulance and EMT Shanlynn Nimer for teaching students in grades 3-5 about first aid and April Sluder of Southeastern Idaho Public Health for providing tooth sealant and other dental care for the students.

Malad Middle School Secretary Carlean Tubbs reported that attendance continues to be over 93% and that 77% of the students received Armor Up cards for the first quarter.  The Middle School students also benefited from Southeastern Idaho Public Health providing tooth sealant and other dental screenings.

Principal Robert Hannah of Malad High School reported that Career Day had provided students with reasons for staying in school.  He said that the combined High School/Middle School Veterans’ Program was excellent. Attendance averages 93%.  All fall benchmarks for math and ELA were above State averages except for the 9th grade scores. He reminded the Board that the boys’ and girls’ cross- country teams had placed 1st at State and that the volleyball team had placed 2nd at State. He noted that the IHSAA and Drive Toyota had congratulated Boston Burbidge on being named the Athlete of the Week for October 26-November 1.

Action Items

The December School Board meeting will be held in the teachers’ lounge of the new elementary school at 6:30 on December 16 to facilitate the Christmas dinner prior to the meeting.

The Board approved the overnight trip schedule for Malad High School winter athletics. It was noted that there were many overnight trips for the wrestling teams; Superintendent Rupp explained these trips were good for the teams as going to tournaments in districts farther away gave the students good preparation for District and State tournaments.

The Board approved the District Transportation Manager, Kelly Hill, to start the bid process for new buses.  He is hoping for two bids for each bus. 

The following personnel were approved, pending their passing the State-mandated background checks:  Kathryn Atkinson and Tia Talbot as Malad Middle School Math and Science Team coaches; Tatum Page,  Kaylie Ward, and Oakley Hebdon as substitute teachers; Bo Jane Smith as a MMS volunteer girls’ basketball coach; Katelyn Atkinson as a Malad High School assistant girls’ wrestling coach; and Hayden Montgomery as a MHS volunteer wrestling coach.