The regular monthly meeting of the Oneida School Board was held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, following an extensive work session during which the Board discussed and updated policies to bring District policies into alignment with Idaho Department of Education policies and Idaho legislative actions.

Laurie McCracken, a Title I Reading Interventionist at Malad Middle School, was honored as the “Employee of the Month.” (See accompanying article.)

Discussion

The Board discussed the school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year but decided to revisit it when it was learned that the first day of deer hunt coincided with Malad High School Homecoming in 2025 as the calendar was presented. On the first day of deer hunt this year, approximately 90 high school and 50 middle school students were absent, which are the numbers that were expected.

Mike Hess, Jr., brought information to the Board about renewing the senior trip to Washington, DC, and other East Coast sites. He has contacted two travel companies, one of which worked with Dennis Evans in the past when the Visions Club took this trip. In the fall prior to the trip over Spring Break, students would have to commit to going on the trip so that travel arrangements can be finalized. Approximately 45 students are needed to make the trip financially viable; if there are not enough Malad students able to go, perhaps a trip could be coordinated with West Side or Marsh Valley. The first trip would not be until 2026.

An open house will be held when the new elementary school is completed, but details need to be worked out by Principal Sarah McIntyre and Superintendent Jon Abrams.

With the impending departure of Jon Abrams as Superintendent, the search for a new superintendent needs to get underway. The Board decided that it would not hire an outside agency to conduct the search but would conduct the search as was done when Mr. Abrams was hired.  Advertising will need to begin soon because the pool of candidates is not very deep, warned Mr. Abrams.

Policies

The Board approved the first reading of a policy dealing with student health, physical screenings, and health examinations.

The Board approved the first reading and voted final approval for a policy dealing with emergency treatment in medical emergencies and a policy dealing with family engagement.  All policies may be found on the Oneida School District website.

Administrator Reports

Superintendent Abrams reported that all financial and enrollment data related to the Idaho Home Learning Academy are being removed from the District records as IHLA is now a charter school with its own governing board. He also noted that there are still a lot of unknowns about the building projects until the lawsuit is resolved.

Ms. Jeanie Reeder, Principal of Stone Elementary School, reported that the daily Power Half Hour is working very well in improving student reading as the students have the opportunity to read with other students at the same reading level, regardless of grade level. Those students who are struggling receive one-on-one assistance from teachers and aides. The Stone students went to Logan for a pumpkin walk and a visit to the zoo. Red Ribbon Week will be the week of Halloween.

Ms. Sarah McIntyre, Principal of Malad Elementary School, proudly reported that the fund raiser in support of the Rally Foundation for  Childhood Cancer Research was very successful with students bringing enough change to school to raise over $1000.

Mr. Robert Hannah, Principal of Malad Middle School, reported that fall sports are almost finished and that volleyball, football, and cross country had all done very well. Parent-Teacher Conferences at the Middle and High School were held on the same night, resulting in increased attendance by parents at both schools.

Mr. Dallin Rupp, Principal of Malad High School, reported that the school is going to start using a new test that will better prepare students for the ISAT, which should improve test scores. Attendance is about 92%, which is much higher than last year. He also reported that many students are taking dual enrollment classes from the six local teachers who are certified to teach dual enrollment courses. Other students are taking online classes for dual credit. As many as 814 credits will be earned through the dual enrollment program.  When asked about the “no cell phones in class” policy, Mr. Rupp said there had been very few problems or complaints.  He concluded by saying that “Malad High School is a great place to go to school.”

Action Items

Mr. Foster Garrett, Band/Choir Teacher for Malad Middle and High Schools, was present to answer questions about the proposed choir trip to Utah Technical University (formerly Dixie State) and on to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The students will have the opportunity to perform before choir professors at both  colleges, possibly have some one-on-one sessions with choral professors, and get critiques to improve their performances. Both the high school and chamber choirs will be on the tour. They will also attend a performance of Brahms’ “Requiem,” a premier choral composition. The tour will be in spring 2025.     

The Board approved the following personnel, pending their passing the State-mandated background check: Caleb Williams as the Malad High School head track coach; Karalee Tooke as a substitute teacher; LaNea Haley as a Malad Middle School paraprofessional; Leone Hill as a Stone School reading coach; Cassie Hobbs as a bus driver; Jana Davis as a Malad Elementary School After-School Program aide; and Karley Benett, Joseph Kimberling, and Carbon Carter as high school student aides for the MES After-School Program.

The following coaches were approved for Malad High School winter sports:

Girls’ Basketball: Trevor Jones as head coach with Tyson Daniels, Joseph Miller, and Allison Eliason as assistant coaches and Alex Probst and Dave Anderson as volunteer coaches.

Boys’ Basketball: Zach Beutler as head coach with Clint Bastian, Zack Jeppsen, and Chet Keeth as assistant coaches and Lex Smith, Kevin Winsor, and Marshall Martinson as volunteer coaches.

Boys’ Wrestling: Devin Morrison as head coach with Allen Edwards, Caleb Williams, and Jonny Blaisdell as assistant coaches and Tom Maddox, Josh Davis, Clint Price, and James Rindlisbaker as volunteer coaches.

Girls’ Wresting: Russ Clark as head coach with Cade Price, Bo Smith, Tyson Haven, and DeeDee Clark as volunteer coaches.

The Board accepted resignations from Shenell Clark as the Malad High School soccer coach (effective at the end of the current season), Christy Jenkins as the District IT Specialist, and Jon Abrams as the District Superintendent. Mrs. Jenkins’ and Mr. Abrams’ resignations are effective June 30, 2025.