MDSD JUNE BOARD BRIEF
June 3, 2024
1. Spring Sports Banquet
The spring sports banquet celebrated academic and athletic success, with all teams achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher, notable placements in conference competitions, numerous state qualifications in track, and individual champions.
2. MDSD Music
The MDSD music programs demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication through robust student participation in concerts, honor bands, and festivals, including notable performances and collaborations, showcasing a commitment to musical excellence and community engagement across both high school and middle school levels.
3. MDSD Visual Arts
The visual arts programs at McCall Donnelly High School and Payette Lakes Middle School are vibrant and diverse, engaging students in traditional and digital art forms, with successful grant applications enhancing resources and community involvement showcasing student talents and fostering collaboration and positive impact beyond the classroom.
4. Educational Accomplishments
Congratulations to Christine Gardner for recently earning her Educational Doctorate Degree (EdD) in Educational Leadership with utmost distinction from Liberty University.
5. Retirements
To all our 23-24 retirees, we extend our deepest appreciation to these dedicated individuals for their years of service and commitment to our school community.
Donna Havens – PLMS Special Education Teacher
Patty Hallett – MDHS Mathematics Teacher
Shelly Chamberlain-Farrell – MDHS Business Technology Teacher
Jim Griffith – DES Reading Teacher
Suzanne Gebhards – PLMS Mathematics Teacher
Jennifer Sadhana – MDHS Special Education Teacher
Deirdre Abrams – DES 5th Grade Teacher
6. 24-25 Master Agreement
We are pleased to announce that the Master Agreement for the 2024-2025 academic year has been successfully ratified.
7. Meal Price Increase
24-25 Student Meal Prices
PLMS & MDHS = $3.60 (lunch)
BRMES & DES = $3.10 (lunch)
*No increase is required for student breakfast prices
24-25 Adult Meal Prices
Lunch: $4.95
Breakfast: $2.85
8. Superintendent Update
Yes, Superintendent Pingrey did submit his retirement. He will work through the end of next school year unless a replacement can be found at an earlier date. When asked why by the Star News, Mr. Pingrey stated:
“25 years of serving tens of thousands of students and families, from adjudicated youth to college students. I’ve taught countless lessons, 100s of dances chaperoned and recesses supervised, 1000s of school lunches ate, spent far too long riding on school buses, raised millions of dollars for communities, and fought nonstop for public education, often with unsupportive legislators. Spent 25 years coaching multiple sports, built several schools and athletic complexes, made sure kids have clothes, food, and always a safe place to learn, 25 years of weekends and evenings, honored to have mentored dozens of great leaders, as well as be mentored by the same. Navigated the dreaded Covid and all the character flaws that it brought out in people, been surrounded by 100s of great educators along the way, and now I simply want to spend time with my family.”
9. Overflow Classrooms/Staffing for 24-25 School Year
After administrative recommendation, we are committed to keeping the class sizes small and not making any significant changes to the elementary class structure.
10. Summer Food Program
We are currently working on a summer food program, supported by enthusiastic community members and led by our certified food service director.
The program aims to provide meals for all children aged 0-18 in the community. While we are confident in fully implementing the program next summer, we are striving to make it happen this summer as well.
11. State Committee Standards Work Report
We are thrilled to announce that the Department of Education has prioritized standards alignment work and has selected several of our outstanding MDSD educators to play a pivotal role in this initiative!
Michelle Harris will be working on secondary ELA standards.
Leslie Doane will be focusing on elementary ELA standards.
Lisa Pingrey will be contributing her expertise to science standards.
12. Safety Report
We are excited to announce that districtwide facility safety and security inspections have been successfully completed for all our schools! Elliot Cox, a School Safety Analyst from the SDE Idaho School Safety and Security Program, conducted a thorough evaluation of our buildings.
This summer, our administration will review these detailed reports and present them at the upcoming safety committee meeting. Although these documents are not public records, they play a crucial role in helping us address and enhance our safety and security measures continuously.