The Junior High K-Graphics class has updated the calendar with all sporting events scheduled for basketball and wrestling.  The lunch menu is also being added to the website.  I hope you enjoy our hard work.

Dear Kootenai Residents:

Lagoon Updates:  Ms. Ashley Williams from Welch-Comer attended the board meeting. to answer questions and provide updates on the lagoon.  Welch-Comer is continuing to investigate the possibility of utilizing a subsurface drip system as an alternative to the current treatment and land application process.  The district has submitted an application for low interest financing through the Department of Environmental Quality for project completion.

Retirements:  Mrs. Cheryl Richardson, District Secretary, and Ms. Giselle Magnuson, Jr. Sr. High School English will be retiring at the completion of the 2011-2012 school year.  These two ladies have been valuable assets to the district and will be greatly missed!  Ms. Magnuson has enhanced the lives and learning of students for a total of 28 years.  Mrs. Richardson has benefited the district with her service for the past 26 years in the classroom, elementary office, and district office.

Driver’s Education:  A sign up sheet for the spring Driver’s Education course has been placed in the High School office.  Students must be 14.5 years of age by February 15^thin order to be eligible for the class.  Fees for the class have been set at $140.00 and must be paid in advance.  The deadline for sign up is Wednesday, January 25^th.

Assistant Jr. High Basketball Coach:  Miss Katie McBride has been approved as the Junior High Girls Assistant Basketball coach.  We have 19 students participating.

Zone 2 Trustee Vacancy:  Due to rezoning, the trustee position for zone 2 was vacated.  I.C., § 33-504 states that the board has 90 days to make an appointment from the date the vacancy was declared (from within that zone.)  The board unanimously appointed Mr. Jon Verkist to this position.  Mr. Verkist will take the oath of office at the next regular scheduled board meeting on Monday, February 13^th.

Maintenance Update:  The ILON software which runs the heating system at the high school was replaced during the winter break.  The old software was inconsistently communicating with the system and thus we were unable to regulate the heat in the building.  New light switches have been installed to replace the old key switches which were not working correctly.  The halls have been painted at the elementary and the floors were waxed and buffed.  

Student Enrollment/Attendance:  Idaho Statute 33-1003 references the funding floor/safe harbor that districts with declining enrollment have relied upon for many years for funding stabilization.  In fact, in 2010 Kootenai School District would have lost $215,698 without safe harbor.  That reduction would come from total support unit revenue of $1,835,924 equating to a 12% loss.  As the imminent elimination of safe harbor comes into effect for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year, declining enrollment will continue to significantly decrease the District’s state support funding. 

Sincerely,

Lynette Ferguson

Kootenai Jr. High would like to announce the World of Music project. The project was made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The council approved a grant for Anna Whipple to receive $1,000.00 to use for her Junior High World of Music project. With the funds for the project, Anna has invited an acclaimed drumming instructor, Michael Bear to visit our school on Wednesday, April 6^that 10:15 AM.  The public is welcome to attend this presentation in the multi-purpose room at Harrison Elementary. He will present drumming from around the world.  This interactive presentation will allow all students to participate in drumming activities. The remaining funds will be used to purchase a variety of drums from around the world for students to use as they continue to learn about drumming in different cultures. Kootenai students would like to thank the Idaho Humanities Council for this opportunity.