D91 News & Updates
February 2021
Reminder: Supplemental Levy Election is March 9
D91 parents and patrons will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 9, to vote to renew the district’s supplemental levy, which has been in place for more than 30 years. The levy provides critical funding for the school district.
The amount of the levy, which generates about $6.8 million each year, has not changed since 2003. The Board of Trustees has taken steps recently to reduce taxes for taxpayers. School bonds approved in 2012 were refinanced last summer saving taxpayers millions of dollars. In addition, D91’s overall tax rate has dropped in the last year from $4.19 to $3.45 per $1,000 of taxable value. Polls will be open from 8 am to 8 pm. For more information about the election and polling places, click here.

COVID-19 UPDATES
In response to changing conditions and feedback from parents and staff, the Board of Trustees has made several changes to D91’s COVID-19 Operational Response Plan in recent weeks. The changes include: 

  • 5 Days A Week: All D91 schools will return to a 5-day-a-week schedule beginning Monday, March 8. 
  • Late Start on Fridays: Late Start will be on Fridays for the rest of the year. Late Start provides our teachers with valuable time to collaborate and focus on increasing student achievement. Friday was selected as the Late Start day for the rest of the year in hopes that it would be less disruptive to families because only Friday schedules would need to be rearranged rather than Monday and Friday schedules. The Board is expected to revisit the issue of Late Start Friday or Late Start Monday for the 2021-22 school year sometime in May. 
  • Masks Still Required: Following CDC and Eastern Idaho Public Health recommendations, D91 will continue to require masks in all schools, offices, classrooms, common areas and buses when social distancing isn’t possible.
  • Concerts & Other Special Events: Some schools are starting to plan spring band and choir concerts, which are now allowed under the governor’s updated guidance on gatherings and spectators. Under the new guidance, spectators can fill up to 40 percent of the capacity of auditoriums, gymnasiums and other spaces. Middle schools and high schools will be sending information out about these events in the coming weeks.  
  • Buildings Now Open To Outside Groups: Schools are now available for use and rent by outside groups, as long as organizations follow local and state health guidance. Our facilities have been closed so far in an effort to try and slow the spread of the COVID-19.  
D91PROUD CHOICES Program Kicks off in March
The D91Proud Choices program is part of the district's ongoing efforts to teach students the importance of making positive choices that will help them be successful in all aspects of life.
The program is taught by elementary school counselors and targets 6th graders. Based on the Second Step program, a research-based curriculum designed to build supportive communities for children through social-emotional learning, D91Proud CHOICES includes six separate lessons. The lessons address everything from addiction to substance abuse to the importance of making plans and commitments.
You can support these efforts to ensure our children are socially and emotionally strong by asking any 6th grader you know what they’ve learned in the CHOICES program. Learn more by clicking here.
D91 Academy Registration
Registration begins soon for D91 Online Academy, which is one more choice for learning Idaho Falls School District 91. The school was created last fall for families concerned about coming back to school during the pandemic, but it’s proven to be a popular option for students looking for personalized learning and a flexible schedule.
For the 2021-22 school year, the online academy will have D91 teachers providing quality instruction as well as interventions, supports, enrichments and social activities. For Grades K-6, students will be taught using a proven curriculum through Florida Virtual School with synchronous and asynchronous instruction. For Grades 7-12, teachers will provide asynchronous instruction with maximum flexibility using curriculum through Idaho Digital Alliance.
Registration for the D91 Online Academy begins in March. Learn more at www.ifschools.org. 
Superintendent Search
The search for a new superintendent for Idaho Falls School District 91 is under way. After careful review of the 11 candidates who applied for the position, the Board of Trustees has identified seven candidates to move forward in the process. The candidates include:

  • Jon Abrams, Superintendent, Laramie Co. School District #2 (Pine Bluffs, WY) 
  • Kelly Coughenour, Assistant Superintendent, Idaho Falls School District (Idaho Falls, ID) 
  • Dr. Destry Jones, Assistant Superintendent, Firth School District (Firth, ID) 
  • Dr. Sylvia McNeely, Superintendent Wanette Public Schools (Wanette, OK) 
  • Dr. Matthew Neal, Superintendent, American Creativity Academy, Kuwait (Kuwait City, Kuwait) 
  • Dr. Eric Pingrey, Superintendent, Walker Hackensack Akeley Independent School District (Walker, MN) 
  • Dr. James Shank, Superintendent, Cassia County School District (Burley, ID) 

The Board of Trustees is currently conducting reference checks. They will convene again on March 4 to review the candidates. As part of the selection process, board members reviewed input from parents, patrons and staff on the ideal qualifications for D91’s next superintendent. About 1,000 people responded to the superintendent survey. The results are now available on the district website at www.ifschools.org. In the coming weeks, please watch for more updates on the search. Supt. George Boland is retiring at the end of the school year.
Kindergarten Registration Opens March 8
Spread the word! Kindergarten registration for the 2021-22 school year begins on March 8. Registration is available online at www.ifschools.org. We encourage families to register early so they can take part in the kindergarten orientations that schools have planned in early May.
The best way to prepare children for kindergarten is to read to them every day. You can also help your kindergartner be successful by helping them gain skills like recognizing letters, numbers 1 to 10, colors, shapes; counting from 1 to 10 and writing his/her name. 
Still Time to Give Input on Chemistry Resources
As D91 works to implement Idaho’s new science standards, the district’s chemistry curriculum team has recommended adoption of new digital and print resources from Experience Chemistry. These resources are aligned to the new standards, which focus on teaching students science and engineering knowledge and practices. Parents and patrons still have time to provide input. They can review the brochure, take an INTERACTIVE TOUR of the program, explore the DIGITAL GUIDE and provide input through this survey. The Board of Trustees is expected to adopt the new resources in April. 
D91's CTE Programs Shine
February was CTE Month, and D91 is proud to offer an array of Career Technical Education programs including agriculture, business, information technology, EMT, CNA, pharmacy tech, culinary arts, early childhood education and more. CTE classes integrate academic classes with real-world professional experiences, plus students get the chance to earn college credits and certifications, which can help them land a good-paying job right out of high school. We’ve been spotlighting our CTE programs on the D91ProudFacebook page all week. Check it out!  
Schedule Reminders
All D91 schools will be closed on Friday, March 5, for a teacher work day. Classes will resume on Monday, March 8, with the new 5-day-a-week schedule.

All D91’s juniors will take the SAT on April 13. The test helps students gauge their college readiness. On that same day, all sophomores will take the ISAT. There will be no school for freshmen and seniors.  
D91PROUD
Idaho Falls and Skyline high school students, with help from their feeder schools, collected more than 160,000 cans and non-perishable food items for the 2021 Souper Bowl. This year’s donation to the Community Food Basket was one of the biggest. Congrats to IFHS & SHS!

After some hard-fought games, Skyline’s girls basketball team was crowned district champs. They went on to state where they placed fifth in the 4A tournament.

Congrats to the Idaho Falls High School boys basketball team! The team has earned 5A All Academic Champions. 
Idaho Falls School District 91 | Email | 208-525-7500 | Website