State Reading Test Shows Student Improvement
According to the last Idaho Reading Indicator test, 76% of Midvale students in grades K-3 are reading well. “The teachers are doing their jobs,” said Superintendent Kylee Morris. The computer tests are administered monthly and this last one shows an 11 percent improvement from the beginning of the year. She mentioned that the goal by the end of the year is 85 percent. State Early Literacy Funds are tied to this test and schools are expected to show improvement and maintenance of high scores.
Also reported was the first semester honor roll which requires a minimum of a 3.3 GPA. Six were listed with 4.0: Stella Warren, Kearney Adams, Lola Warren, Kali Waggoner, Elias DeVres and Morghan Quilter. Honors also went to 28 students with 3.99-3.3. There are a total of 49 students in Midvale High School.
The announcement of graduating senior honors was made. Valedictorian is Stella Warren and the salutatorian is Kearny Adams. Stella has a 4.291 weighted GPA which factors in her college credit classes. She will graduate with 60 college credits to give her an Associate Degree. Kearny has a 4.218 GPA which also includes college credits.
Two students presented their senior projects to the board. Kearny Adams did a project to improve the school weight room. He researched funding possibilities to buy new equipment and was able to finance the project thanks to Weiser Memorial Hospital, Fairchild Vinegar, his parents and the school. When asked if the new equipment resulted in increased use of the room, he said that yes it did.
Keith Farrens shared that he wanted his project to be of service to others and to also be fun. After a couple of setbacks, including a vehicle accident that put him out of commission for a week, he was able to conduct a fly fishing class for the six graders. With the help of Indianhead Flyfishers, the students spent two hours learning how to cast, how to tie flies and general knowledge. Since he greatly enjoys the sport and was helped along the way when he was that age, he wanted to share the experience with others.
A letter was received by the school from 1964 graduate Mark Horning regarding the establishment of a scholarship to honor his parents, Glen and Marjorie Horning. Marjorie was an elementary teacher in Midvale from 1952-1974. Mark is retired from the military and currently lives in Mississippi. He will be contacted with more details by the school.
The Idaho Power judgment was discussed but no action was taken until further information can be learned. The property tax refund to the power company from Midvale School District is $90,000. While the Washington County Treasurer expected taxing districts to respond with a plan for repayment last week, it did not seem wise to make a decision until more was learned about the issue. Kylee listed several other communities struggling with the judgment that were waiting to make decisions. The trustees unanimously voted to table the issue. The mandatory refund is effecting schools, cemeteries, libraries, cities and any districts that received revenue from the power company’s property tax.
Also tabled was the update on Policy 26.1 regarding Purchasing. Policies regarding Child Nutrition and Wellness, Medical Treatment Authorization and Medical Treatment Authorization Form, and Back-to-School/Safe Return to In-person Instruction Plan were all approved. The policy addressing Student Discipline and Punishment for Major Offenses was approved with the addition of “Severe misconduct may require elimination of some of the steps and immediate appropriate consequences including expulsion.”
The board set Monday, February 3, as a special meeting at 6:00 to consider applications for the position of new school superintendent.
The next regular meeting of the trustees will be Monday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m..
