Students Make Progress on Reading
The Meadows Valley School Board met for their monthly meeting Tuesday, April 8 at the school library. Trustee members Barbara Dixon, Stepheny Becker (via Zoom), Shayleen Brooks, and Chris Peterson were present along with Superintendent/Principal Dee Fredrickson, Vice Principal Katey Basye (via Zoom), and Board Clerk/School Business Manager Carol Whitney. Two parents and Meadows Valley FireFighter/EMT LeAndra Smith also attended. The meeting began as usual with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the consent agenda.
Dixon asked for any audience communication. There was none outside of Smith being scheduled to comment. She presented some clarification to dispel any potential rumors related to the Fire Department and the new Youth Center plans. Smith elaborated that they are not trying to stop the construction, but on the contrary are very excited about the project.
Smith will be entering a new role in the near future as Fire Marshall under Chief Doug Buys and will be conducting building inspections.
The Meadows Valley Fire Department previously requested updated plans from the City for the new Youth Center. They also went on a tour at the construction site with the contractor and Smith said that went very well and all of their questions were answered. She continued saying their main concern is to ensure the building is safe for employees and kids. The department has communicated safety suggestions including pull fire alarms, heat sensors in the attic alongside the HVAC system, and ensuring safe egress from the building.
The Superintendent and Vice Principal then shared time reporting updates and information to the board. Regarding student behavior and discipline, Fredrickson communicated that one middle school student was served a three day out of school suspension and a high school student had served a one day in school suspension for vaping. The Superintendent offered to discuss these cases further with the board later in executive session.
Basye presented on the recent Idaho Reading Indicator tests students in grades K-3 took that day. The staff and administration set a huge goal for this year of getting 85% of these students reading at grade level by the end of the school year. Basye said they had “amazing results today which is super exciting,” saying, “You can see in September we only had 43% of our students at grade level and then …as of today K-3, 81% of our students are reading at grade level with 8% approaching and 11% well below.” Basye and Fredrickson both reiterated that every student in the school does the testing at their grade level no matter their reading level or if they are in the Special Education program.
Basye noted that ISAT testing is taking place this week and next for grades 3-8, 10, and 11.
Next, the Vice Principal reported on the Federal Programs review. The school did their check out for this on March 20. The report back noted some outdated policies that needed updating or reviewing and this was addressed later in the action part of the meeting. Basye said the only policy they needed further work on referred to the Homeless Education Act since the school does not currently have a counselor. The current plan approved will allow Claudia Bentz to attend a state training so she is up to date on the policy and how to attend to students in need related to that policy.
Fredrickson reported that twelve students traveled with Ag Teacher Rachael Melad to the State FFA Conference in Twin Falls April 1-5. The group got to sign the official Meadows Valley FFA club charter. Students were engaged in all day conferences and activities. Updates can be found on the new Facebook page under the name Meadows Valley FFA. Fredrickson praised the new group and Melad, saying the program is really helping get students engaged and she is very thankful. The club has thirty students enrolled this year.
Fredrickson and Trustee Becker met with a playground designer the previous Friday to take first steps toward installing a new playground on the elementary side. They are hoping to keep costs to a minimum and add in community help on installation and prep labor. Peterson is looking into some options as well. The school Levy would be helpful in funding the project.
On May 13 a safety inspector will be coming in for an annual review. Fredrickson received a copy of the last inspection report and Custodian Tamara Brusso has made swift progress on fixing outstanding issues. Fredrickson praised her great work.
Upcoming school events reported during the meeting include Senior Prom at the Glasshouse in McCall and the Science Field Trip fundraiser that occurred Friday, April 11.
The Superintendent noted she recently met with the Youth Advocacy Coalition and Planet Youth group. They are regularly hosting 50-60 kids at the after school program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and usually meet at the Community Center. The group asked about opportunities for using the school building sometimes. Fredrickson said the school wants to support the program and offer a safe space for kids to play. She also noted that the gym is usually not available during the program timing due to sports programs, so the only indoor space available would be the cafeteria. She also noted her hope that once the Youth Center is open they will be able to use that space for after school.
Fredrickson said an employee committee group has been put together to research staff insurance options.
The Board then confirmed the date of the annual budget hearing for June 10, 2025 with a unanimous vote. This will take place during their regularly scheduled meeting that month.
Next up for action items was the 2025-26 Academic Calendar. The board was presented with three options. All options were also given to staff to review and vote on so the board could see each schedule’s popularity. Basye explained that the school year must include a minimum of 990 hours and 142 days. This school year’s calendar includes 144 days. Option B called for 1008 hours including two early release days and the last day of school falling in the first week of June. This option was approved unanimously after consideration of teacher and staff votes.
A motion to approve Policy 2385, English Learners Program, was unanimously approved. This updates the 2008 version that was in place.
Next, after a short discussion, a motion to approve Policy 3060, Education of Homeless Children, after research and adjustment of appropriate related policy numbers was approved unanimously. This policy ensures that homeless students can be immediately enrolled without waiting for a transfer of records and that they can participate in all school activities. This is an update to include the modern language of Title 9 policies.
Policy 2420 was then discussed. It needed an annual review and a date noting review. The Policy was reviewed and approved unanimously.
An item was submitted to the board related to possibilities of updating the school track and looking into installing an 8-lane track so the school could host meets. This will likely be discussed at the next board meeting.
The board moved into executive session after an approved motion to adjourn the public meeting. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m..
