Report: Kuna School District making cuts to the 2020-2021 budget

May 2024 · 2 minute read

The Idaho Press reported Tuesday that the Kuna School District board of directors unanimously approved budget cuts for the upcoming school year.

Accounting for approximately $1.5 million, the majority of these cuts will come from a reduction in staff as well as eliminating funds that are normally used for curriculum and supplies.

According to the Idaho Press, the cuts include:

Ten retiring or resigning staff members who will not be replaced (non-teachers)

Not rehiring 5.5 first-year teachers (the 0.5 being a part-time employee)

Removing leadership stipends for people working in career-training education and extracurricular activities

Reducing supply budgets

No new curriculum adoption or equipment, which Superintendent Wendy Johnson said “doesn’t mean we’re totally zeroing out the curriculum budget. It just means we’re delaying some of the purchases that we had planned.”

The cuts come after plans were announced to freeze pay, eliminate some positions and to lay off three classified workers.

The district will not hire any new teachers until enrollment numbers have been verified, according to the Idaho Press. They will also hold off on bringing aboard new staff until its determined how many state dollars the district will receive for the upcoming school year.

Reductions in some areas of the budget will allow the district to raise salaries for teachers who have less experience. This aligns with the new state minimum salary of $40,000 per year.

The full 2020-2021 budget can be found on the Kuna School District’s website.

As part of their reopening plan, the district will be requiring all staff to wear face masks, while recommending that all students do so as well. Additionally the Idaho Press reports that the district will develop a supplemental online learning plan as well as providing devices and internet options to all students.

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwvsSppqusXaDCr62MrJqhp5%2BheqW10q2popukYrqit8innmabpanAbsDOZquhnV1nfXN8jGtna2ldl8Kls8St