BOISE, Idaho — The Kuna School District is looking to cut $5.7 million over the next two years because of the failed supplemental levy in May, the drying up of federal funds, and the state's return to attendance-based funding.
"It was disappointing, but there it is," Spokesperson Allison Westfall said.
The cuts would come from a variety of different places. Westfall said they propose eliminating about two dozen jobs, including 12 certified ones.
"Our goal throughout was to look for positions that don't directly impact the classroom," she said.
Some of the other cuts would come from eliminating busing for activities and field trips, some cuts to supplemental curriculum and not replacing student devices, Westfall said.
Parent Suzanne Ronge worries some of the proposed cuts would disproportionately impact low-income students.
"What they're wanting to implement is they wouldn't be able to take that device home," she said. "What are those kids going to do that maybe don't have a computer ... at home?"
Because of the failed levy, Westfall said they must also prioritize what buildings get repaired. Hubbard Elementary is at the top of the list because of a leaky roof.
"One of the things they talked about was closing that school and dispersing those kids to other schools in the districts," she said. "But they're also looking at some other alternatives about what to do with that annex."
The district said the closure would be temporary. Ronge, who has a child there, worries it would not be.
"When we go to run another bond or levy, will it pass? And then if it doesn't, then like then what's going to happen?" She said. "I'm just really hoping that they look at the whole picture and every little aspect of what they can take, besides closing like a whole school."
Westfall said they plan on pulling several million dollars in savings while they figure out where the rest of the money for the cuts will come from. They might need to go back to the voters.
Anyone with questions should reach out to the district, she said. The board decide the issue at a meeting June 11.
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