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Kuna Schools Update: Summer meals, changes for next year

Posted Date: 05/26/26 (05:30 PM)
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A yellow graphic with the text 'Kim's Corner' and a quote about taking things one step at a time.
Dear KSD Families,

Our theme for this school year has been "One Step at a Time." As we look back on the progress we’ve made together, those steps have added up to progress for our students.
Here are a few highlights and achievements as we look back on the year:

Celebrating the Class of 2026: Last week, we celebrated our high school seniors! We are incredibly proud of their hard work and excited to see the futures they build as they take their next big steps. #KSDfutureready
A group of graduates in navy blue gowns and caps sit in an auditorium, looking towards the front.

Initial Point High School

Initial Point High School celebrated 33 graduates, two outstanding seniors were honored.

Jensen Sanders received the Academic Achievement award. She graduated as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Presley Neville was awarded the Initial Point Scholar Award, a staff-selected honor recognizing her personal growth, strong character.
Graduates in black gowns and gold sashes toss their caps in the air during a ceremony.

Kuna High School

Kuna High School celebrated more than 400 graduates. Class of 2026! Some academic highlights: 268 graduates earning merit-based scholarships to Idaho colleges and universities and 231 securing Idaho LAUNCH grants. The class demonstrated academic drive, with 72% completing college-credit courses (more than half finishing a semester or more) and attempting 6,519 dual credits—the equivalent of 543 college semesters. Additionally, 174 Career Technical Education diplomas were awarded, and 6 graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy. The ceremony was presided over by ASB President Hyrum Heindel and featured a speech from Valedictorian Aiden Trejo who urged the class to "do good and be good." Salutatorians were Liberty Simper, Sarah Tucker, and Mack Wilson.

State testing snapshot

Exceeding Academic Goals: We wrapped up state testing. This year, we challenged ourselves with a goal of 2% growth. Our students and staff exceeded our goals in both math and science!  

Investing in Reading & Literacy: In English Language Arts (ELA), our scores remained steady compared to last year. Because we are always striving for improvement, the Board approved a new elementary ELA curriculum earlier this year and in our middle schools ELA instructional time will increase in 2026-27. We are excited for these changes next school year to give our students an even stronger foundation. 

A New Baseline for K-3: Our youngest learners (grades K-3) also completed the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI). Because the state adopted a brand-new test this year, these results will serve as our new baseline as we measure literacy growth moving forward.
Two line graphs show the change in math and reading achievement since 2019 for Kuna Joint District and similar districts.

Kuna schools in national spotlight

Finally, I am excited to share that our district’s growth in reading and math over the past four years has been recognized on a national level. National researchers recently highlighted our district as a "District on the Rise."

The Education Scorecard analysis shows our district as one of 100 school districts nationwide that are improving faster than their peers in both math and reading. This recognition belongs to our dedicated educators, hardworking students, and supportive families.

Farewell

As we close out this remarkable school year, this will be my final Kim’s Corner update. Serving this district has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, one step at a time, to ensure our students are truly future-ready.

I am leaving our schools in excellent hands. As you know, the School Board has hired Marcus Myers to lead our district. I am deeply appreciative that Marcus has already been actively involved in planning for the upcoming school year. He has spent time sitting in on our budget development and negotiations with our teachers' association, attending school board meetings, and visiting our classrooms and school events whenever his schedule allows.
His proactive dedication ensures a seamless transition for our district, and I know that under his leadership, KSD will continue to thrive.

Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your unwavering support over the years.

Kim Bekkedahl, Kuna Superintendent
 

Updates

Below are some updates as we wrap up the school year and prepare for the next including, scroll for details below:

  • Summer projects will limit access to many sites including KHS
  • Returning families, please complete the Back-to-School Update 
  • Reed, Fremont host summer meal sites
  • New for 2026-27: Track your student's bus 

Summer projects will limit access to many sites including KHS

Thanks to state repair and maintenance funds, we are tackling several critical facility upgrades this summer. Please note the major impact on Kuna High School:
  • Kuna High School Closure: KHS will undergo its final phase of HVAC replacement and secure vestibule additions to the gym area. The school and parking lots will be closed for nearly the entire summer break. KHS administrative offices will temporarily relocate to Swan Falls High School for the month of June. (Note: The proposed KHS parking lot addition will not happen this summer, as the donation has stalled).
Other Summer Projects:
  • Reed Elementary: New roof and new water heater.
  • Indian Creek & Ross Elementary: Final phase of HVAC replacements.
  • Crimson Point Elementary: New water heater.
 

Returning families, please complete the Back-to-School Update

Please take a moment to log into PowerSchool and complete the Back to School Update. This form allows you to review student information and acknowledge important annual notices.
Screenshot of the PowerSchool SIS parent portal showing student selection and grades.
 

Reed, Fremont host summer meal sites

Free Summer Meals Schedule: Our nutrition department will again be providing free summer meals for children. Meals will be available at the following locations and times:
Reed Elementary School (June 8 – July 24 | Closed June 29 – July 3): 
  • Breakfast: 9:00 – 9:30 AM
  • Lunch: 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Fremont Middle School (June 4 – June 25): 
  • Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:00 AM
  • Lunch: 11:00 – 11:30 AM

New for 2026-27: Track your student's bus

Starting this August, the new BusRight app will let you track your child’s school bus in real time. Students will swipe a safety pass when boarding and exiting, and the app will provide instant alerts for any delays. More details are coming in August!
A hand holds a smartphone displaying the BusRight app, showing a bus route on a map.

New athletic forms system launches

All schools in the Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) are moving to RankOne for athletic paperwork such as upload physicals and required forms. It also will have detailed information on schedules and rosters.

August 13th is first day of school for 2026-27

To ensure secondary students finish their first-semester finals before winter break, school will start in mid-August with the first day for students Thursday, Aug. 13.

Open Houses:
  • Elementary schools - Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Middle schools - Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.

View the full 2026–27 calendar here: kunaschools.org/calendar. 
 

Celebrating our teachers, classified staff of the year

Thank you for making Staff Appreciation Month so special! We wrapped up the celebrations by honoring our Teachers and Classified Staff of the Year. This year, we featured video testimonials for our winners—please take a moment to watch them at the links below!  
 

📅 Upcoming Events

  • May 29: Last day of school - early release
  • June 9: Kuna school board meeting & annual budget hearing
  • July 14: Kuna school board meeting
  • August 11: Kuna school board meeting
  • August 11: Elementary, middle school open house
  • August 13: First day of school for students