Last night, we had the opportunity to recognize two of our students who were named National Merit Finalists. This is one of the highest academic honors a high school student can earn, and it represents years of hard work, discipline, and commitment to learning.

Their achievement is a powerful example of our cornerstone of Learning and Literacy in action.

Success at this level doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of students who are willing to put in the effort, teachers who challenge and support them every day, and schools that are focused on high levels of learning for every student.

It also reflects the critical role that families play. Long before students ever take the PSAT, they are developing habits, values, and a commitment to learning at home. That partnership between school and family is essential, and this recognition is a reminder of what is possible when we work together.

We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the teachers, schools, and families who have helped them reach this milestone.

Thunder Ridge High School senior Amalia “Molly” Spencer has been named a National Merit Scholar Finalist, one of the most prestigious academic honors a high school student can achieve. Maintaining an impressive 4.6 GPA, Molly’s achievement reflects years of hard work, dedication, and academic excellence.

The National Merit process is highly competitive, requiring students to advance through multiple levels, including qualifying, semifinalist, and finalist stages. Molly’s success highlights not only her academic ability but also her commitment to learning and strong support system at home and school. She plans to attend BYU this fall to study biology, with aspirations toward a future in the medical field. Molly represents Thunder Ridge and D93 with excellence, and we are incredibly proud of her accomplishments.

Thunder Ridge High School senior Rebekah Hill has been named a National Merit Scholar Finalist, an outstanding academic achievement that reflects her hard work, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. With an impressive 4.4 GPA, Rebekah exemplifies what it means to be both dedicated and well-rounded.

Rebekah is actively involved in her school community, including participating in band and sharing her talents by teaching piano lessons. Known for her humility and positive presence, she is the kind of student who quietly excels—so much so that being called to the office for recognition was a surprise in itself.

Her journey to becoming a National Merit Finalist began simply as a way to prepare for college entrance exams, but her strong performance quickly set her apart. Rebekah plans to serve a mission following graduation before attending BYU-Idaho, where she hopes to pursue a degree in piano performance and potentially become an educator. We are incredibly proud of Rebekah and the way she represents Thunder Ridge and D93.

Our community will be voting on a Supplemental Levy for Bonneville Joint School District 93.

The proposed levy will support a wide range of programs and services across our schools, including:

Most of these programs and services are already in place in our schools today. Some are currently funded through our existing supplemental levy, while others have been temporarily supported from our fund balance over the past two years. The proposed levy would provide ongoing funding to maintain these programs moving forward.

We will continue to share additional information in the coming weeks, including financial details and answers to common questions.

Justin Dahlke has accepted an assignment as the new principal of Tiebreaker Elementary. He has served as principal of Fairview Elementary for the past six years and previously served as an assistant principal and teacher at Rocky Mountain Middle School. Justin brings strong leadership, builds trust with staff and families, and approaches student discipline in a fair and consistent manner.

Natalie Burr has been assigned as the new principal of Fairview Elementary. She has served as principal of Bonneville Online Elementary and brings strong instructional leadership and a heartfelt commitment to students and staff.

Ken Marlowe has been assigned as principal of Bonneville Online Elementary. He currently serves as Director of Student Well Being and will continue in that role while assuming this assignment. Ken is deeply committed to supporting students, staff, and families.

During last night’s board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the 2026–2027 District school schedule, reflecting adjustments to start and end times across all schools.

With the opening of a new school and updated attendance boundaries, the district has worked carefully to design a schedule that supports safe, efficient transportation and consistent school routines for students and families.

The updated schedule streamlines elementary start times into three groups, replacing a wider range of start times currently in place. This adjustment allows for improved bus routing and provides drivers with additional time between routes, helping ensure students arrive safely and on time despite increased traffic and growing enrollment.

Under the new schedule:

These changes were developed through collaboration with school leaders and transportation staff, with careful consideration given to instructional time requirements, traffic patterns, and the complexity of running multiple bus routes each day.

While adjustments like these can take time for families to adapt to, the goal remains clear: providing a safe, reliable, and efficient schedule that supports student learning across D93.

The full district schedule is included below for your reference.

Hillcrest High School Student Council recently presented to the Board, highlighting a year full of impact, innovation, and community connection. Representing both current and incoming student leaders, the group shared several of their most successful initiatives—each centered on building school spirit while making a meaningful difference in the community.

One of their most impactful efforts was Boom Memorial Week, where students came together to support families facing medical challenges. Through events like spirit week, powder puff games, and raffles, Student Council helped raise significant funds—over $12,000 last year alone—demonstrating the power of students rallying around a cause.

The group also introduced new and engaging events, including a post-game “Victory Dance” that brought students together in a safe, fun environment while raising funds for future activities like homecoming. Another highlight was the creative and entertaining Mr. Hillcrest pageant, which not only boosted school spirit but also raised over $1,000 to support families during the holiday season.

Perhaps most impressive was their Adopt-A-Family initiative, where Student Council members personally took on the responsibility of supporting families in need during the holidays. This year, Hillcrest students helped over 50 families, raising approximately $55,000 through donations, partnerships, and community support—an extraordinary example of student-led service.

In addition, the council launched a new Hillcrest Thrift Store, providing affordable school spirit wear while encouraging student involvement and pride.

Beyond the events and fundraising, students emphasized the personal growth that comes from being involved—building confidence, leadership skills, and a deep sense of community. Their presentation was a powerful reminder that Hillcrest students are not only creating memorable experiences, but also making a lasting impact on those around them.

Bonneville Online High School Student Council recently shared how they are redefining student engagement in a virtual setting, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, service, and school spirit.

Led by their student leadership team, the council has organized a variety of creative events throughout the year—starting with a Senior Sunrise to bring students together in person and build community from the very beginning. From there, they hosted multiple spirit weeks, including Halloween and holiday-themed celebrations, complete with activities like cookie decorating and dress-up days to keep students connected and engaged.

Their efforts extend beyond school spirit and into service. Students assembled turkey baskets for families in need, organized a canned food drive, and created handwritten Valentine’s notes for senior citizens in the community—demonstrating a strong commitment to giving back.

Understanding the unique challenges of an online school, the council thoughtfully plans events to ensure all students have opportunities to participate, spreading activities across multiple days and offering flexible ways to engage. Recent activities like a schoolwide Easter egg hunt and upcoming events—including Teacher Appreciation Week, a Senior Sunset, and an end-of-year barbecue—continue to build a sense of belonging for all students.

Their presentation highlighted not only creativity and leadership, but also a powerful reminder: even in an online environment, students can build strong connections, serve others, and create a vibrant school community.

At the heart of D93 is a simple but powerful belief—when we take care of each other, incredible things happen.

Jenny Fazzio, Federal Programs Administrative Assistant, alongside former Federal Programs Administrative Assistant Jessica Baksis and Director of Federal Programs Rex Miller, recently shared how the District is using Purposity to meet real, immediate needs for students and families across D93.

Purposity connects specific needs—like a warm coat, a pair of shoes, or essential household items—with people who are willing to help. What makes this program so meaningful is its simplicity: when a need is shared, our community responds. Quickly. Generously. Compassionately.

Behind every request is a student, a family, a story—and through Purposity, those stories are met with dignity and care. It’s not just about providing items; it’s about removing barriers so students can focus on learning, growing, and feeling a true sense of belonging.

This program is a powerful reminder of who we are as a district. We are D93—where generosity shows up, needs are seen, and people come together to make a difference.

Pam Cripps, Transportation Manager, recently presented the results of the District’s State Spot Inspection, offering a comprehensive look at the strength and reliability of D93’s transportation program.

Over two days, state inspectors conducted an in-depth review—observing bus routes, inspecting vehicles, reviewing maintenance and personnel records, and evaluating overall operations. The results highlighted a program that is safe, well-managed, and deeply committed to students.

Inspectors reported that D93 is in full compliance with Idaho transportation safety codes, with 100% compliance in key areas including required inspections, maintenance records, and mechanical performance. Buses were noted as clean, well-maintained, and supported by a team described as helpful and courteous.

Driver training and route operations also earned strong marks, reflecting the professionalism and care of the district’s transportation staff. While a few minor documentation and equipment items were identified for improvement, these were addressed quickly and are being used as opportunities to strengthen already strong systems.

One area identified for growth was school site supervision during loading and unloading, which the district has already begun addressing in collaboration with school administrators to ensure safe and efficient transitions for students.

Each day, D93’s transportation team safely moves students across the district—logging approximately 16,000 miles per week—a powerful reminder of the scale and importance of their work.

As noted by state inspectors, while there are always opportunities to refine and improve, those findings do not overshadow what matters most: a strong, dedicated program focused on student safety.

This report reflects the heart of D93 transportation—a team that shows up every day to safely deliver what matters most.

Saturday, April 25th, 2026

Tautphaus Park Shelter #3

11:00am-2:00pm

A FREE Family Resource/Child Care Fair Your one-stop destination for community resources,

child care information, and family fun!

● Kids Yoga begins at 11am

● FREE Book for each child from Ready. Set. READ! Literacy Program

● FREE Hands on STEAM Projects

● FREE BBQ Lunch

● For more information email: ahowell@unitedwayif.org