Beyond the Bell offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Boise School District—covering the financial, operational, and policy decisions that shape our schools. |
As the Idaho Legislature moves through the 2026 session, we’re closely tracking several bills that could impact our students, staff, and families.
K–12 Funding Governor Little’s proposed FY 2026 budget protects traditional K–12 funding from the cuts facing many other state agencies. While that’s positive news, a “flat” budget, in reality, is a cut for our district. Rising insurance, construction and technology costs mean we’ll need to make adjustments just to maintain current services. Additionally, Career Technical Education (CTE) funding could face a 5% reduction, which would affect hands-on programs that prepare students for in-demand careers.
Other Legislation of Concern - Proposed changes to last year’s law regarding instruction related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently, instruction is allowed if it is deemed age or developmentally appropriate. This year’s bill would remove that language.
- Immigration-related proposals, including House Bill 656, which would require districts to collect and report student immigration status in aggregate form. Federal court rulings have long affirmed that all children, regardless of status, are entitled to a free public K–12 education. We have been clear on our stance regarding our students’ privacy.
- Legislation that could criminalize transporting or assisting undocumented individuals, raising concerns about potential unintended consequences for school districts and community partners.
- House Bill 574, which would eliminate immunizations as a school entry requirement.
Positive Developments There are also bills we view as constructive, including: - House Bill 588, which strengthens oversight of virtual schools and prevents them from issuing vouchers to parents.
- House Bill 570, which increases penalties for excessive speeding in school zones.
As always, we will continue monitoring developments and advocating for policies that support student learning, safety, and equitable access to education. |
In the 2024–2025 school year, our district launched our “Free Breakfast for All” initiative to ensure every student had access to a morning meal, regardless of income or school designation. The Board approved the program as part of its broader commitment to student well-being, educational equity, and data-informed decision-making.
To better understand the program’s impact, the Boise Public Schools Foundation contracted with Boise State University’s Idaho Policy Institute and Syringa State Community Research Lab to conduct an independent evaluation. The research team used a mixed-methods approach, comparing attendance, participation, and assessment data from before and after implementation, while also gathering feedback from 2,400 parents and 856 staff members through surveys and conducting multiple focus groups with parents, staff, and students.
- Strong Community Support: More than 75% of parents and 83% of staff approved of the program . Students also reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, particularly appreciating reduced stigma and easier access to food.
- Increased Participation: Breakfast participation increased at 32 of 46 schools, with some schools seeing dramatic growth. Districtwide participation remained steady throughout the year.
- Positive Behavior & Engagement: More than half of staff reported decreases in disruptive behavior, and 81% reported increased student engagement. Students themselves noted improved focus when they were not distracted by hunger.
- Academic Gains for Economically Disadvantaged Students: While overall proficiency rates remained relatively stable, economically disadvantaged students saw notable increases—particularly in math and reading.
- Reduced Stigma Around School Meals: Both parents and staff reported a meaningful reduction in stigma associated with receiving school-provided meals. Students described breakfast as becoming part of the normal school culture rather than something that singled students out.
The study also identified areas for improvement, including consistent communication across schools, nutritional quality, and ensuring access for students who arrive late.
Overall, the findings suggest that Free Breakfast for All has been widely supported and is making a positive difference for many students—while also providing valuable insights to guide next steps. |
Over the past several months, we’ve shared updates about our transition to Standards Based Reporting (SBR). As we prepare to begin implementation in elementary schools next school year, our focus right now is simple: build understanding, build trust, and build capacity.
Rather than flipping a switch overnight, we’re taking a grassroots approach. Teachers are engaging in professional development throughout the year to refine learning intentions, clarify success criteria, and calibrate scoring practices across classrooms. We are gathering continuous stakeholder feedback from staff, parents, and students to ensure clarity and consistency. This spring, families will have multiple opportunities to learn more—through parent information sessions, school presentations, and open dialogue with teachers and administrators.
The goal is not just a new report card. It’s a clearer way to communicate learning.
What Is Standards-Based Reporting? Our vision is to provide reports and grades that reflect a student’s understanding and progress toward clearly defined, consistent, and common learning goals.
Traditional grading systems often blend academic achievement with behaviors such as effort, participation, or extra credit. They can also penalize students for when they learn something rather than focusing on whether they ultimately master it. A single letter grade rarely tells the full story of what a student knows and can do. Standards Based Reporting shifts that focus.
Why Will Standards Based Reporting be Better for Students, Families and Teachers? - Improves parent-teacher-student communication by providing clearer, more detailed information about specific skills and standards .
- Increases clarity and transparency so families understand what each level means and how students can improve .
- Ensures grades reflect demonstrated learning, not work habits .
- Promotes fairness and consistency by applying the same criteria across classrooms and schools .
- Encourages motivation and lifelong learning by emphasizing growth and mastery .
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What Will It Look Like in Elementary Schools? - Beginning at the start of next year, traditional letter grades will no longer be reported for academic areas in grades 3 - 6 (letter grades are not reported in PK - 2 already). Instead, student learning will be evaluated based on a preponderance of evidence rather than a simple accumulation of points.
- Habits of work – such as responsibility, participation, and collaboration – will still be communicated, but they will be reported separately from academic achievement .
- Students will receive feedback using a clearly defined performance scale, ranging from Beginning and Progressing to Achieving, providing a more accurate picture of where they are in relation to grade-level standards .
Moving Forward—Together This transition is a natural next step in deepening our commitment to student-centered learning. But we also know that changes to grading practices raise important questions for families and students. That’s why this year is about preparation, learning, and listening.
As we continue to refine the work with our educators and engage families this spring, we remain committed to a reporting system that is clear, fair, and focused on what matters most: student learning. |
Each year, as we begin budgeting season, our Board agrees to a clearly defined timeframe for developing our budget, including multiple opportunities for the public to review and comment prior to final approval in June.
At the February Board meeting and based on the same structure as last year, Trustees set the timeline for the development of our 2026 - 2027 budget:
April 30, 2026: Board Workshop
May 11, 2026: Regular Board Meeting - The administration shares budget priorities and recommendations.
- Public Input
May 28, 2026: Board Workshop
June 8, 2026: Regular Board Meeting - Public Input
- Final Approval of Budget for 2026-27
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🏫 Schools & Enrollment - 48 neighborhood schools with open enrollment
- Full-day Kindergarten at every elementary school
- 2 District-wide Early Childhood Learning Centers
🎓 Academics & Teachers - 72% of teachers hold a Master’s degree
- 67% of graduates pursue post-secondary education
🔧 Career & Technical Education - 5,000+ students enrolled in Career-Technical Programs
🍎 Student Support - Free breakfast for all students
- Access to social workers and counselors at all schools
⚽ Activities & Opportunities - 200+ sports, clubs, and student-led organizations
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We maintain a rich archive of past Board of Trustee meetings and additional district operational information. Board agendas can be found online and contain not only topics discussed but also links to presentations from students, teachers and administrators on a host of school district initiatives, operations and programs. Video of regular Board meetings are available on our YouTube channel.
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