Kuna City Council members will have a busy night on Tuesday, March 15, with a pre-council workshop with ACHD, then a full agenda for the regular meeting.
Here is the breakdown:
5:30 p.m.: Workshop with ACHD to discuss:
• Park and Ride lot study,
• ACHD’s five-year work plan,
• concept study for Main and Avalon streets from School to Orchard,
• Deer Flat Road water ponding concern,
• Ten Mile Study update
• Avalon sidewalks and Fourth Street reconsiderations.
Can they get all that done in an hour-and-a-half?
Then the regular council meeting starts at 7 p.m. On the agenda:
• Ordinance changing some street names in Kuna.
• The taxicab ordinance.
• Blower improvements to Lagoon No. 7
• Piping modifications for the Summit View project
• Budget vs. actual financials for FY2011 through Feb. 28, 2011.
• Ordinance on a franchise agreement with Cable One for 15 years.
Council members are also scheduled to go into executive session for potential litigation. There are no public hearings scheduled Tuesday night.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Kuna school district needs more budget transparency
Asking the Kuna school district to cut just 9 percent of its budget in these economic times is not an unreasonable request, according to one of the participants in last week’s study circle session hosted by the school district.
The small business owner said that she has had to deal with a lot more than a 9 percent reduction in revenue in her business, forcing her to cut pay, health benefits, paid vacations, paid sick days and holidays. And she reported that her employees are just happy to still have a job. She said she’s had to comb through her budget multiple times looking for savings, and she urged the school district to do the same.
About 20 people showed up last Thursday for the school district’s study circle on the options for a potential supplemental levy in the face of possible public education cuts from the state.
The state Legislature is considering a $62 million cut in public education funding due to decreased revenues because of the economic recession. School district officials have said that Kuna represents about 1 percent of the state budget, meaning a $62 million statewide cut would result in a $620,000 cut to Kuna’s budget. But district officials now say Kuna represents 1.5 percent of the public education budget, meaning Kuna could see cuts of $930,000. In addition, Kuna can expect a $450,000 cut due to a loss of one-time federal stimulus money, according to the district business manager Bryan Fletcher.
But Fletcher presented figures last week to the study circle that projected a $1.95 million shortfall in funding. He said he plugged the district’s average daily attendance numbers into a worksheet provided by the state to come up with the anticipated revenue shortfall.
Still, last year, the district anticipated $1.9 million in cuts from the state and imposed about $2.6 million in cuts, including charging students as much as $100 per sport as an activity fee.
But now we learn that the funding gap from the state last year was about $637,000, according to the district’s supplemental levy presentation.
At one study circle table, all four citizen participants expressed confusion over the numbers that the district presented and one person suggested that the presentation was misleading because the graphs were “zoomed in” when showing the potential shortfall, making the shortfall appear larger than reality.
The district is currently operating with a $1.1 million supplemental levy that was approved by voters two years ago and expires at the end of this year. The district said the levy costs taxpayers $114 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Study Circle participants were presented with four supplemental levy scenarios:
• Option 1: No Supplemental Levy; Reduces property taxes by $114 per $100,000 in taxable value.
Possible losses include: 12 Teachers, 1 Admin, 4 Support Staff, Keep all existing reductions in place, Salary/Benefit, Extracurricular activities and programs, Staff positions (teachers, administrators & support staff), Course offerings at secondary schools.
• Option 2: $1.1 Million Levy; Keeps property taxes flat at $114 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Possible losses include: 12 Teachers, 1 Admin, 4 Support Staff, Keep all existing reductions in place. Additional reductions may still be necessary, including Salary/Benefit, Extracurricular activities and programs, Staff positions (teachers, administrators & support staff) and course offerings at secondary schools
• Option 3: $1.5 Million Levy; Increases property taxes to $156 per $100,000, an increase of $42.
• Option 4: $1.95 Million Levy; Increases property taxes to $203 per $100,000, an increase of $88.
Opinions of the options at one table were varied. One father whose son plays three sports at the high school (and thus pays $300 per year in extracurricular fees) voted for Option 4 or even higher, namely because he would actually save money by paying $88 more in taxes and saving $300 in fees. Another participant voted for Option 2 to keep taxes flat but to look for more efficiencies in the district. One father, who voted for Option 4, said he didn’t want to pay higher taxes but he wanted the best education environment for his two young children who were just entering the school district.
I have this overwhelming sense, though, that people’s patience is wearing thin. Like the folks at the table, a lot of Kuna residents want to support the school district. They recognize that Kuna is one of the lowest-cost districts in one of the lowest-cost states in the country. They recognize that we don’t have a lot of administrators falling over themselves, that class sizes are high and getting higher. But the numbers just don’t make sense.
“I really can’t make a decision based on the information tonight,” said one participant. “I’m still looking for facts. I’m confused about some of what was presented tonight.”
I suspect that until the district presents coherent, consistent budget numbers, support for yet another supplemental levy just might wane.
The small business owner said that she has had to deal with a lot more than a 9 percent reduction in revenue in her business, forcing her to cut pay, health benefits, paid vacations, paid sick days and holidays. And she reported that her employees are just happy to still have a job. She said she’s had to comb through her budget multiple times looking for savings, and she urged the school district to do the same.
About 20 people showed up last Thursday for the school district’s study circle on the options for a potential supplemental levy in the face of possible public education cuts from the state.
The state Legislature is considering a $62 million cut in public education funding due to decreased revenues because of the economic recession. School district officials have said that Kuna represents about 1 percent of the state budget, meaning a $62 million statewide cut would result in a $620,000 cut to Kuna’s budget. But district officials now say Kuna represents 1.5 percent of the public education budget, meaning Kuna could see cuts of $930,000. In addition, Kuna can expect a $450,000 cut due to a loss of one-time federal stimulus money, according to the district business manager Bryan Fletcher.
But Fletcher presented figures last week to the study circle that projected a $1.95 million shortfall in funding. He said he plugged the district’s average daily attendance numbers into a worksheet provided by the state to come up with the anticipated revenue shortfall.
Still, last year, the district anticipated $1.9 million in cuts from the state and imposed about $2.6 million in cuts, including charging students as much as $100 per sport as an activity fee.
But now we learn that the funding gap from the state last year was about $637,000, according to the district’s supplemental levy presentation.
At one study circle table, all four citizen participants expressed confusion over the numbers that the district presented and one person suggested that the presentation was misleading because the graphs were “zoomed in” when showing the potential shortfall, making the shortfall appear larger than reality.
The district is currently operating with a $1.1 million supplemental levy that was approved by voters two years ago and expires at the end of this year. The district said the levy costs taxpayers $114 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Study Circle participants were presented with four supplemental levy scenarios:
• Option 1: No Supplemental Levy; Reduces property taxes by $114 per $100,000 in taxable value.
Possible losses include: 12 Teachers, 1 Admin, 4 Support Staff, Keep all existing reductions in place, Salary/Benefit, Extracurricular activities and programs, Staff positions (teachers, administrators & support staff), Course offerings at secondary schools.
• Option 2: $1.1 Million Levy; Keeps property taxes flat at $114 per $100,000 of taxable value.
Possible losses include: 12 Teachers, 1 Admin, 4 Support Staff, Keep all existing reductions in place. Additional reductions may still be necessary, including Salary/Benefit, Extracurricular activities and programs, Staff positions (teachers, administrators & support staff) and course offerings at secondary schools
• Option 3: $1.5 Million Levy; Increases property taxes to $156 per $100,000, an increase of $42.
• Option 4: $1.95 Million Levy; Increases property taxes to $203 per $100,000, an increase of $88.
Opinions of the options at one table were varied. One father whose son plays three sports at the high school (and thus pays $300 per year in extracurricular fees) voted for Option 4 or even higher, namely because he would actually save money by paying $88 more in taxes and saving $300 in fees. Another participant voted for Option 2 to keep taxes flat but to look for more efficiencies in the district. One father, who voted for Option 4, said he didn’t want to pay higher taxes but he wanted the best education environment for his two young children who were just entering the school district.
I have this overwhelming sense, though, that people’s patience is wearing thin. Like the folks at the table, a lot of Kuna residents want to support the school district. They recognize that Kuna is one of the lowest-cost districts in one of the lowest-cost states in the country. They recognize that we don’t have a lot of administrators falling over themselves, that class sizes are high and getting higher. But the numbers just don’t make sense.
“I really can’t make a decision based on the information tonight,” said one participant. “I’m still looking for facts. I’m confused about some of what was presented tonight.”
I suspect that until the district presents coherent, consistent budget numbers, support for yet another supplemental levy just might wane.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Kuna school board meeting tonight
Reminder that the Kuna school board meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the support services building, 711 E. Porter Road. Board members are expected to make a decision on putting a supplemental levy on the ballot in May.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Grade crossings in Kuna will get repairs
Union Pacific will make repairs to the railroad track grade crossings at Bridge Street and Swan Falls Road in Kuna sometime this spring, according to Kuna city planning director Steve Hasson.
Currently, the grade crossing at those two locations is extremely bumpy with a high pitch in the center of the crossing, making it difficult to cross and potentially damaging to vehicles.
Hasson said that he had been in contact with Union Pacific officials, who informed him last week that the grade crossings would be repaired by June.
Currently, the grade crossing at those two locations is extremely bumpy with a high pitch in the center of the crossing, making it difficult to cross and potentially damaging to vehicles.
Hasson said that he had been in contact with Union Pacific officials, who informed him last week that the grade crossings would be repaired by June.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Do you want to be a Kuna school board member?
The deadline to file paperwork to run for a seat on the Kuna school board is 5 p.m. Friday, March 18.
Three seats will be up for election this year. The election will be held on Tuesday, May 17.
The three seats that are up for election are:
• Zone 1, currently held by Ginny Greger.
• Zone 2, currently held by Dave Case.
• Zone 5, currently held by Carl Ericson.
To be a candidate for school board trustee, you must have been a resident of the trustee zone you are filing candidacy for, for at least 30 days prior to filing a declaration of candidacy.
The declaration of candidacy must be notarized and accompanied by a petition signed by no fewer than five qualified electors of the trustee zone. The petition needs to have the names clearly printed and a complete physical address as well as a signature of the patron signing. Prospective candidates should get a few extra signatures in case some of the signers are not registered voters in the zone.
Both the petition for candidacy and the declaration of candidacy need to be filed with the Clerk of the School Board no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
For more information, please contact Susan Crew, Clerk for the Board of Trustees, at 955-0287.
Three seats will be up for election this year. The election will be held on Tuesday, May 17.
The three seats that are up for election are:
• Zone 1, currently held by Ginny Greger.
• Zone 2, currently held by Dave Case.
• Zone 5, currently held by Carl Ericson.
To be a candidate for school board trustee, you must have been a resident of the trustee zone you are filing candidacy for, for at least 30 days prior to filing a declaration of candidacy.
The declaration of candidacy must be notarized and accompanied by a petition signed by no fewer than five qualified electors of the trustee zone. The petition needs to have the names clearly printed and a complete physical address as well as a signature of the patron signing. Prospective candidates should get a few extra signatures in case some of the signers are not registered voters in the zone.
Both the petition for candidacy and the declaration of candidacy need to be filed with the Clerk of the School Board no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
For more information, please contact Susan Crew, Clerk for the Board of Trustees, at 955-0287.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Kuna City Council debates taxicab ordinance
Kuna City Council members debated the merits of a new taxi cab ordinance. Cardoza and Bachman had several questions relating mostly to what they said were too onerous conditions on taxicab companies. Cardoza several times questioned whether “a little town like Kuna” needed some of the provisions for meters and top lights on cabs. Bachman was concerned about the burden that inspections, applications and enforcement would place on city employees.
Hasson said he would scale down the ordinance, make suggested changes and bring it back for a second reading at the next council meeting on March 15.
Hasson said he would scale down the ordinance, make suggested changes and bring it back for a second reading at the next council meeting on March 15.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Kuna Juvenile Justice Council is disbanded
Kuna Juvenile Justice Council program director Zella Johnson reported to Kuna City Council members this week that the Juvenile Justice Council is disbanding.
Started in 1998, the Kuna Juvenile Justice Council has served as a local diversion program for first-time youthful offenders. For the past 13 years, the council worked with hundreds of offenders outside the court system in order to relieve the court system and to produce better outcomes for the offenders. Rather than criminal punishment, the council doled out alternatives, such as community service as reparation for non-violent offenses. For example, a juvenile caught committing graffiti might be assigned painting detail.
“This is a sad, heartfelt thing,” Johnson told council members. She said the council has been referred fewer and fewer cases and that the volunteers who have served on the council, some as far back as inception, “need a break.”
She also said that the juvenile cases have changed in nature and are more often repeat offenders, which the council doesn’t handle.
“This is not Farmer John’s son did something wrong any more,” Johnson said.
Kuna Mayor Scott Dowdy said the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office increasingly prefers to handle juvenile cases in house, rather than with local councils such as Kuna’s.
“I’m not sure what their rationale is,” Dowdy said. “It seems local efforts are more effective than when it’s administered at the county level.”
Started in 1998, the Kuna Juvenile Justice Council has served as a local diversion program for first-time youthful offenders. For the past 13 years, the council worked with hundreds of offenders outside the court system in order to relieve the court system and to produce better outcomes for the offenders. Rather than criminal punishment, the council doled out alternatives, such as community service as reparation for non-violent offenses. For example, a juvenile caught committing graffiti might be assigned painting detail.
“This is a sad, heartfelt thing,” Johnson told council members. She said the council has been referred fewer and fewer cases and that the volunteers who have served on the council, some as far back as inception, “need a break.”
She also said that the juvenile cases have changed in nature and are more often repeat offenders, which the council doesn’t handle.
“This is not Farmer John’s son did something wrong any more,” Johnson said.
Kuna Mayor Scott Dowdy said the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office increasingly prefers to handle juvenile cases in house, rather than with local councils such as Kuna’s.
“I’m not sure what their rationale is,” Dowdy said. “It seems local efforts are more effective than when it’s administered at the county level.”
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Kuna community celebrates education
Several hundred teachers, parents, students and administrators packed the Kuna High School Commons Wednesday afternoon for an emotional “education celebration.”
The event was planned as an alternative to protests and a counterbalance to the negativity surrounding the debate over state Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reform.
At the end of the celebration, participants filed out to the sidewalk in front of the high school along Deer Flat Road, each one holding up a number in an effort to illustrate the magnitude of 770 teaching positions statewide that would be cut under the education reform plan.
As chants alternated between “Kill the bill” and “Celebrate teachers,” passersby honked their horns and gave the thumbs up.
The nearly two-hour assembly included speeches from Kuna teachers union president Josh Noteboom, Kuna Superintendent Jay Hummel, assistant superintendent Wendy Johnson, teacher Matt Krumm and school board member Kevin Gifford as well as a performance by the Crimson Point Choir, led by music teacher Sharon Johnson, and a rousing performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” by the Ross Raptors Chorus and music teacher Dave Dineen.
A number of students also offered their thanks and support for teachers who have helped them.
The assembly provided a united front for the Kuna school district and sent the message that Kuna will continue to stick together in tough times.
“We will persevere no matter what legislation passes,” Krumm told the audience. “Because this community really has students first.”
The assembly included several poignant moments of emotion.
Johnson became choked up several times as she spoke about working in Kuna, starting her career as a teacher Kuna High under then-principal Jay Hummel and returning to Kuna as an administrator.
“When I went to the dark side to be an administrator, my mother told me, ‘Don’t forget who you are,’” she said, breaking down. “ ‘You’re a teacher.’”
The event was planned as an alternative to protests and a counterbalance to the negativity surrounding the debate over state Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reform.
At the end of the celebration, participants filed out to the sidewalk in front of the high school along Deer Flat Road, each one holding up a number in an effort to illustrate the magnitude of 770 teaching positions statewide that would be cut under the education reform plan.
As chants alternated between “Kill the bill” and “Celebrate teachers,” passersby honked their horns and gave the thumbs up.
The nearly two-hour assembly included speeches from Kuna teachers union president Josh Noteboom, Kuna Superintendent Jay Hummel, assistant superintendent Wendy Johnson, teacher Matt Krumm and school board member Kevin Gifford as well as a performance by the Crimson Point Choir, led by music teacher Sharon Johnson, and a rousing performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” by the Ross Raptors Chorus and music teacher Dave Dineen.
A number of students also offered their thanks and support for teachers who have helped them.
The assembly provided a united front for the Kuna school district and sent the message that Kuna will continue to stick together in tough times.
“We will persevere no matter what legislation passes,” Krumm told the audience. “Because this community really has students first.”
The assembly included several poignant moments of emotion.
Johnson became choked up several times as she spoke about working in Kuna, starting her career as a teacher Kuna High under then-principal Jay Hummel and returning to Kuna as an administrator.
“When I went to the dark side to be an administrator, my mother told me, ‘Don’t forget who you are,’” she said, breaking down. “ ‘You’re a teacher.’”
Kuna Boys & Girls Club gets public hearing this month
Plans to build a Boys & Girls Club in Kuna will finally get a public hearing this month.
The Kuna Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, to consider a request from the Ada County Boys & Girls Clubs for a zone change and development agreement for a site at the east end of West Mendi Place in Kuna, where local organizers are planning to build a permanent 15,000-square-foot facility.
The public is invited to present written or oral comments regarding the proposal. Any written testimony must be received by March 14, or it may not be considered. Mail written comments to the City of Kuna, P.O. Box 13 Kuna, ID 83634, or drop off at City Hall, 763 W. Avalon St.
The Kuna Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, to consider a request from the Ada County Boys & Girls Clubs for a zone change and development agreement for a site at the east end of West Mendi Place in Kuna, where local organizers are planning to build a permanent 15,000-square-foot facility.
The public is invited to present written or oral comments regarding the proposal. Any written testimony must be received by March 14, or it may not be considered. Mail written comments to the City of Kuna, P.O. Box 13 Kuna, ID 83634, or drop off at City Hall, 763 W. Avalon St.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
We're not all influenced by the teachers union
The teachers union, apparently, has become much more powerful than we had all imagined. First, we all know that the union has distorted state Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reform plan to turn teachers against the plan.
It’s obvious that union thugs are the reason that teachers are against the plan. It’s merely their own self-interest in lining their own pockets.
Parents, too, must be getting influenced by the teachers union. Why else would thousands of parents be complaining about the education reform plan?
School board members also apparently have fallen under the influence of the teachers union. They can’t simply have problems with the education reform plan. It must be the teachers union’s powerful influence.
How about administrators? They are opposed to many parts of the plan, too. Why? Must be the teachers union.
And now the students. Thousands of them, including some from Kuna, walked out of class Monday morning to protest the education reform plan. Using Facebook and texting, thousands of students organized an Egypt-style march on the state Capitol Monday morning protesting mostly the part of the plan that cuts teachers in order to pay for technology, such as laptops and online courses.
State Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, told a TV station Monday night that he thought the teachers union put the students up to it. Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, told the Statesman that he heard the teachers union put the students up to it. Who did he hear that from? Bob Nonini?
First of all, we all know you can’t really get teenagers to do something they don’t want to do.
Second of all, the accusation that these students somehow don’t have the capacity to form an opinion that they don’t want fewer teachers and are simply being influenced by the teachers union is illustrative of the arrogance of some of these lawmakers.
This type of condescension, I suppose, is what you get when you elect someone with 70 percent of the vote or more. The problem is that just because a legislator got elected with 70 percent of the vote doesn’t mean that 70 percent of the electorate is going to go along with everything he or she supports after they get elected.
But that’s what appears to be happening. Some legislators seem to think that if there is any opposition to their position, it must be this vocal minority that’s simply “stirring things up.” They call on the silent majority to step forward and counterbalance these troublemakers.
Unfortunately, what happens is that we fail to have a productive, honest debate. When one side fails to concede that the other side may have an intelligent position that is worth considering, we have a form of tyranny.
Take, for instance, a recent “survey” that state Sen. Russ Fulcher sent out to some of his constituents, asking them for their opinions on state Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reforms.
One question shows that 76 percent of his respondents would not accept a tax increase in order to maintain the current education system.
However, in May 2009, the Kuna school district conducted a highly scientific — and binding — poll of the residents within the school district. In that poll, 62 percent of respondents reported that they wanted their taxes raised in order to maintain the current education system. The poll? The election for a two-year $1.1 million per year supplemental levy, which raised taxes in order to maintain the current education system.
I am reminded of Pauline Kael’s alleged quote that she didn’t know anyone who voted for Nixon after his landslide presidential victory, a testament to the liberal elitism of the time. So, too, should politicians make sure they are listening to ALL of their constituents, not just the ones who tell them what they want to hear. And they would be wise to avoid suggesting that everyone is simply being unduly influenced by the teachers union.
It’s obvious that union thugs are the reason that teachers are against the plan. It’s merely their own self-interest in lining their own pockets.
Parents, too, must be getting influenced by the teachers union. Why else would thousands of parents be complaining about the education reform plan?
School board members also apparently have fallen under the influence of the teachers union. They can’t simply have problems with the education reform plan. It must be the teachers union’s powerful influence.
How about administrators? They are opposed to many parts of the plan, too. Why? Must be the teachers union.
And now the students. Thousands of them, including some from Kuna, walked out of class Monday morning to protest the education reform plan. Using Facebook and texting, thousands of students organized an Egypt-style march on the state Capitol Monday morning protesting mostly the part of the plan that cuts teachers in order to pay for technology, such as laptops and online courses.
State Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, told a TV station Monday night that he thought the teachers union put the students up to it. Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, told the Statesman that he heard the teachers union put the students up to it. Who did he hear that from? Bob Nonini?
First of all, we all know you can’t really get teenagers to do something they don’t want to do.
Second of all, the accusation that these students somehow don’t have the capacity to form an opinion that they don’t want fewer teachers and are simply being influenced by the teachers union is illustrative of the arrogance of some of these lawmakers.
This type of condescension, I suppose, is what you get when you elect someone with 70 percent of the vote or more. The problem is that just because a legislator got elected with 70 percent of the vote doesn’t mean that 70 percent of the electorate is going to go along with everything he or she supports after they get elected.
But that’s what appears to be happening. Some legislators seem to think that if there is any opposition to their position, it must be this vocal minority that’s simply “stirring things up.” They call on the silent majority to step forward and counterbalance these troublemakers.
Unfortunately, what happens is that we fail to have a productive, honest debate. When one side fails to concede that the other side may have an intelligent position that is worth considering, we have a form of tyranny.
Take, for instance, a recent “survey” that state Sen. Russ Fulcher sent out to some of his constituents, asking them for their opinions on state Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reforms.
One question shows that 76 percent of his respondents would not accept a tax increase in order to maintain the current education system.
However, in May 2009, the Kuna school district conducted a highly scientific — and binding — poll of the residents within the school district. In that poll, 62 percent of respondents reported that they wanted their taxes raised in order to maintain the current education system. The poll? The election for a two-year $1.1 million per year supplemental levy, which raised taxes in order to maintain the current education system.
I am reminded of Pauline Kael’s alleged quote that she didn’t know anyone who voted for Nixon after his landslide presidential victory, a testament to the liberal elitism of the time. So, too, should politicians make sure they are listening to ALL of their constituents, not just the ones who tell them what they want to hear. And they would be wise to avoid suggesting that everyone is simply being unduly influenced by the teachers union.
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