Recognitions and Honors

Dena Moon, head custodian at Malad Middle School, was honored as the “Employee of the Month.”  (See accompanying article.)

The Malad Middle School Science Bowl Team was honored for winning the regional Science Bowl competition for the second year in a row and earning the opportunity to go to the National Competition in Washington, DC. All members of the team and their advisers, Kathy Atkinson and Tia Talbot, were present. All expenses for the students and one adviser will be paid by the Department of Energy. The Board voted to pay the expenses for the second adviser to accompany the students.  (See accompanying article.)

The School Board recognized the Malad High School State Championship teams. Almost all members of the boys’ wrestling team and their coaches were present, including the two individuals (Drake Morrison and Oakley Maddox) who were state champions in their weight classes.  Besides winning State for the third consecutive year, the team was also named the State 3A Academic Champions for the second consecutive year. In addition, the three members of the girls’ wrestling team who qualified for State were present. The girls’ wrestling team was named the All-Class Academic State Champions.

Six members of the girls’ state championship basketball team were present along with their coach, Trevor Jones. Besides winning the sports title, Malad won the Idaho State High School Activities Association 3A Sportsmanship award for how the team, coaches, pep band, cheerleaders, drill team, and fans represented our community throughout the tournament.

Reports

Superintendent Dallan Rupp reported that enrollment remains steady at all schools. Some work will be done on March 26-27 on the baseball field so that water does not build up around home base. The long-anticipated Bannock Street project will begin on March 20 and will impact bus routes. The construction company will provide crossing guards at four locations. The District will take legal possession of the former bank building on March 20.  The alarm system is not working, but the elevator is now working.

Stone Elementary School Principal Jeanie Reeder reported that the “Scratch for Schools” event, sponsored by the Idaho Lottery, yielded $499 for the school after participants scratched 200 lottery tickets. She thanked the Oneida County Library for bringing the STEM trailer to the school and the Pocatello Museum for bringing their trailer with dinosaur exhibits to the school. She also thanked the school counselors for going to Stone to meet with students. Dan from Varo Bank taught financial literacy to the students and then presented a $2500 donation check from Varo.  Stone Elementary received a grant from the Oneida Education Foundation to improve the playground. The two Stone School teachers are going for math training this summer.

Malad Elementary School Principal Sarah McIntyre was not present due to illness.  Her written report highlighted upcoming events and thanked author Lance Conrad for visiting the 5th grade classes to encourage reading, writing, and creativity.

Malad Middle School Principal Josh Smith noted that ISAT testing started on Monday. He congratulated the Science Bowl team on going to the national competition. The 8th grade boys’ basketball team won the District championship. There are 97 students out for track. Ski days and bowling days have gone well. Kami Willie of Malad High School is going to discuss career exploration during homeroom during the next two weeks.

Malad High School Principal Robert Hannah noted how well teams and organizations are doing at their district and state competitions.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the ball fields went well.  He mentioned that nobody has complained about paying admission for baseball and softball games. There are 75 students out for track.  He is meeting with parents to emphasize the importance of students coming to school.

Board Reports

Shane Howard reported that the “Day on the Hill” had a different feel this year, probably because of all the uncertainty about the budget.  He noted that cuts to distance learning will affect the Idaho Home Learning Academy.

The Idaho School Board Association will send someone to Oneida County to provide training for Board members soon.

The Board needs to deal with the many policies in the District handbook that are not dated. Decisions about how to handle this problem will be addressed next month after members have an opportunity to study the issue and possible solutions.

Action Items

The school handbooks were approved after discussion and some minor changes being made to the wording of some sections of the Middle and High School handbooks.  The Stone School handbook is brand new and was approved.

As required by law, bids for a storage facility at the new ball fields will be advertised in The Idaho Enterprise before action is taken.

The Board approved all the overnight trips proposed by the sports teams.  Trips to State tournaments were approved, pending the teams qualifying for State.

The Board discussed the policy related to the selection of honor students, specifically valedictorian and salutatorian, and approved an exception being made this year.

Policies related to corrective actions and punishment procedures and reduction in force procedures were approved on 2nd reading. Policies related to retention of district records and student records were approved on 1st reading and will be brought up again next month.  Redundant policies related to disposal of school property were deleted.

The following personnel were approved, pending their passing the State-mandated background check: Porter Allen as a Malad High School volunteer aide and track coach; Cody Hess and Braxton Hess as bus drivers; Hailee Purdum as a substitute teacher; Kevin Windsor as a student teacher for fall 2026; Kendall Wangsgard as a Malad Elementary School Title I aide; and Krisie Angell as a Malad High School special education paraprofessional.