|
 It’s been a nice spring on ISDB’s campus and in our outreach programs. A few years ago, campus students planted dozens of tulip bulbs as a part of Drug Awareness and Prevention “red ribbon week” and we’ve enjoyed beautiful displays of color each spring since. We’ve enjoyed rain showers, sunshine and the discovery of new life that accompanies spring. Tadpoles, baby birds and other creatures are studied in our science classes. And the wonder of student progress gives satisfaction to staff and parents.
On campus our blind and visually impaired students and staff are basking in another successful drama production. Thank you to those of you who were able to attend and fully appreciate the efforts invested in this year’s melodrama. Several National Federation of the blind members visited campus and attended the play this year. They were complimentary of our Orientation and Mobility services and Braille literacy focus.
Other highlights on campus this spring have included track meets, a staff-alumni basketball game and a beautiful Junior-Senior Prom.
Our Director of Finance and Human Resources, Jeff Woods, was honored this month as the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Masters Of Science in Accountancy Program at Boise State University.
In spite of pride in our programs, student achievement and first-rate-financial management, the economy continues to challenge us. In order to keep our budget balanced we were forced to eliminate 10 positions agency-wide and will implement a 4-day school week on campus in the fall. We assure you that we are giving thorough attention to optimal learning environments during and after school to ensure that our students don’t lose out. We greatly appreciate your support and are happy to answer your questions. I might add that parent input has favored the change and students who attend Gooding public schools will benefit from common schedules.
Our legislature adjourned having done the best they could as far as our appropriation and statutory redesign. July 1st we become an independent bureau with our own Board of Directors, appointed by Governor Otter. I encourage any of you who would like to serve on the new Board, and contribute to quality educational services for students with vision and/or hearing loss, to contact the Governor’s office for an application.
As we conclude for the summer I want to thank the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation as well as anonymous donors for their much-needed generous donations to sustain programs this spring. We truly appreciate your support at this time. If your are interested in making a tax-deductable donation to ISDB or the ISDB Foundation , where 100% of your donation will support services to students, please contact :
· ISDB: 208.934.4457 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
· ISDB Foundation: 208.899.5262 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mary L. Dunne
Superintendent
|
