The Kuna School District will no longer maintain membership in the Idaho School Boards Association after trustees voted 3-2 to end the relationship during a recent board meeting.
Trustee Hillary Lowe led the push to sever ties with the statewide organization, citing concerns about the quality of training sessions, the group’s lobbying positions, and its superintendent search services. The district paid $12,000 annually for the membership.
Lowe told fellow board members she saw limited benefit in the training programs ISBA provided. Trustee Freddy Wheeler shared that view, saying a recent training session felt unproductive. Both trustees also criticized the process ISBA used to help the district find its next superintendent, though Wheeler acknowledged satisfaction with the final selection of Marcus Myers, currently an administrator in the West Ada School District.
The Idaho School Boards Association provides training and legal support to school districts statewide and advocates for education policy at the state legislature. Member districts direct the organization’s lobbying priorities through annual resolutions.
Board Chair Michael Thornton and Trustee JD Grant opposed ending the contract. Thornton argued that maintaining a presence in legislative discussions through ISBA remained important given current challenges facing public education.
Grant suggested delaying the vote for additional consideration, but Lowe moved forward with the measure to terminate membership.
Trustee Kyrsti Bruce, whose husband serves in the Idaho House of Representatives, questioned whether ISBA-backed legislation had achieved meaningful results at the statehouse. During the 2026 legislative session, ISBA Deputy Director Quinn Perry advocated for increased special education funding and opposed private school tax credits.
Lowe also said the district relies on Boise attorney Jill Holinka for policy development rather than ISBA resources, according to district spokesperson Allison Westfall.
Before Kuna’s decision, only Pleasant Valley and Lakeland school districts operated without ISBA contracts among Idaho’s 115 school systems.
ISBA Executive Director Misty Swanson attended the meeting but was not invited to address the board before the vote. The organization released a statement afterward expressing disappointment with the outcome.