School Board meets
The School Board held their February meeting on Monday, Feb. 23.
The board set the budget hearing date for the June 15 school board meeting at 7 p.m.
There was discussion about setting a levy amount. It was decided to hold a special meeting on Monday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m. to further discuss this as hopefully there will be more information on funds coming from the state. The reason for the special meeting also is that the levy resolution needs to be to the County before the next regular board meeting.
Rachel Hernandez was recommended for hire as the Elementary Special Education teacher and approved by the board. The board will discuss filling the First Grade teaching position she now holds at the March 12 special meeting.
It was decided to approve getting more Protect Ed Air Purifiers for the 4-6 grade rooms after data shows a definite reduction in absenteeism in the classrooms already having them.
The valedictorian/salutatorian requirements were discussed at length along with questions from the board. It was decided to table this to the March meeting for more information regarding dual credits, FFA options and a more detailed definition of “academic rigor.”
The board voted to approve the update of Policy 3265 dealing with electronic devices.
Policies 3340 and 3340P were discussed with Superintendent Jon Rehder going over the difference of policy and procedure. Policy trumps procedure. The board voted to approve Rehder’s recommended policy update.
26 more policy recommendations had their second readings and it was decided to approve all of them.
In the administrative reports Matt Elven reported the 5^th/6^th grade basketball tournament put on by the Prairie Track team was held Feb. 6 & 7 with 16 local teams participating.
9 senior boys and 3 senior cheerleaders were honored prior to the boys game against Potlatch on Feb. 13.
The Prairie Girls Basketball team was at the State Tournament this past weekend where they finished 2^nd.
Wrestling Districts were held Feb. 19 for the girls and Feb. 21 for the boys. Avery Schacher won a District title and will be at State this weekend at Nampa.
The Jr./Sr. High Band traveled to the UI Jazz Festival on Feb. 20.
The Prairie boys basketball team started District on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a win over Potlatch. They will play Kendrick for the District title and a trip to State on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Spring sports practices start Feb. 27. There are 16 signed up for softball, 17 for baseball and 34 boys and girls signed up for track. Jr. High track start date still to be determined.
Business Professionals of America state competition will be March 2-4 with 10 students who qualified from Prairie.
Jon Rehder reported the R3 assembly on Feb. 6 went well.
Normally the Spelling Bee is held in February. However this year LCSC cancelled their sponsorship  with the Lewiston Tribune this year and the Regional bee was cancelled. The hope is to bring it back for next year.
Rehder said he completed all is classroom observations for the Spring.
Carly Behler, Andrea Brannan and Rehder will be attending the Idaho Lottery Scratch for Schools on March 10 at LCSC.
Hunter’s Education is set for March 2-6 for 5^th grade students.
Teachers will start planning field trips for after Spring Break.
Rehder also reported the 5^th/6^th grade Moss Camp would like to move their date from the Fall of 2026 to the Spring of 2027.
In his facilities report Rehder said Aaron Hinkelman told him that Rick Forsmann thought it would be a good idea for the board to tour the high school and look at water pipes and other items that need to be updated. We are looking at about 5:30 on March 16 prior to the next school board meeting.
The Elementary School is getting carpet over Spring break and finishing up the classrooms in early June. They are looking at creating 3 small rooms at the back of the current library for quiet working areas. Maybe the board can tour the Elementary School in April prior to the April meeting.
There was an issue with the sewer pipe backing up in the ag shop on Feb. 3. Williams Plumbing came up and worked with Rick on Feb. 4 to replace pipes and get things flowing again.
The Protect ED air purifiers appear to be helping as absences are down considerably in comparison to last year.
Intermax from Coeur d’Alene installed the new phones in both buildings on Monday, Feb. 2. Rehder figures the monthly savings should be close to $200.
Rehder said they are looking at doing all 3 gym floors again this year.
Rehder also reached out to the contractors that bid the high school gym roof work back in 2023. He’s hoping they can lock in this project for the summer at the March board meeting.
We will look into doing the track resurfacing early in the summer.
He is still looking at the gym foyer project possibly for Spring 2027.
In his superintendent’s report Rehder talked about the budget cuts proposed by the state. They are looking at a budget workshop with the board on March 9.
Regarding the levy, Rehder feels they won’t be able to keep it at $175,000 due to the cuts proposed by the state. Options are for $225,000 and $275,000. Ballots need to be submitted to the County by March 13.
They are looking at Rachel Hernandez replacing Michelle Bledsoe who is retiring at the end of the school year. If they move Hernandez, they would need to replace her current position as a first grade teacher.
Rehder said he has been in contact with a Speech and Language Professional for next year. Based on caseload and hours she would range between $87,000-$95,000. They are currently paying eLuma about $87,000 for speech services and about $20,000 for OT. He would like to get the SLP to agree to $80,000 which would be $100/hour. She quoted him $110 per hour.
Rehder attended the Day on the Hill on Feb. 16-17. He talked with legislators about IDLA cuts, Medicaid cuts, legislation of school start date after Labor Day, misuse of funds, etc.
The board moved to an executive session at 8:25 p.m. for Matt Elven’s principal evaluation. After reconvening at 8:34 p.m. the board voted to add a year to Elven’s contract.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. The next meeting is a special meeting on March 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the high school.