Boise School District Wins National Website Transparency Award
Boise, ID -- 03/18/2013 -- Boise School District is among 247 winners of the Sunshine Review's annual "Sunny Award", given to sponsors of government websites demonstrating exemplary transparency. The Sunshine Review is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency.
For the 2013 awards, Editors at Sunshine Review analyzed more than 1,000 qualifying government websites and graded each on a 10-point transparency checklist. Editors looked at content provided on government websites compared with their analysis of what should be provided. They sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an "A+" grade during the extensive grading process.
"The Sunny Awards recognize governments that make transparency a priority. The winners of the Sunny Awards are cities, counties and school districts that proactively share the public information that empowers citizens and keeps government accountable to the people," said Michael Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review. "We would like to congratulate Boise School District for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation."
"We're appreciative of the effort of the Sunshine Review in promoting transparency," said Superintendent Dr. Don Coberly. "This award recognizes the significant effort the Boise District has made in providing information for our patrons and citizens."
Eight states earned nearly half of the 247 Sunny Awards given. The leading states were Florida (25), Virginia (19), Illinois (19), California (12), Georgia (12), Kansas (11), Oklahoma (10) and Colorado (9). 35 other counties, 22 cities and 42 school districts from around the country earned the coveted "A+" grade.
The Sunny Awards announcement fell during the annual "Sunshine Week," March 10-16, a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations. Sunshine Week celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken towards open government.
About Sunshine Review
Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. Sunshine Review collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the websites of all 50 states and more than 7,000 state and local entities.
About Boise School District
Boise School District is here to provide an excellent education for our students, and to prepare each and every student for college, career, and citizenship. The District is a state and nationally recognized high-performing school system, serving 25,000 students, with over 1,700 certified staff and 3,500 classified personnel. In the District, there are 33 elementary schools, 8 junior high schools, and 5 senior high schools.
We are proud of our schools and our community. The City of Boise was named the 2nd most livable small city in the United States by Forbes Magazine in 2012. When Forbes ranked the top one hundred cities by subcategory, Boise ranked #1 in one area - education.
We offer a variety of specialized programs, including Montessori, Dual Language, Classical, International, Harbor, Full-day and Highly Gifted programs at elementary, to the Treasure Valley Math and Science Center, Dennis Professional-Technical Center, and the state's preeminent Advanced Placement program at the secondary level.
In the Boise School District, you will find:
- Commitment to college and career readiness;
- Preparation for an increasingly global society, through the development of creativity and thinking skills with an emphasis on integration of technology;
- A safe and secure learning environment;
- Caring and compassionate staff committed to providing the best education for each and every child;
- Opportunities for meaningful parental involvement; and
- Dedication to our core values of respect, dignity, honesty, responsibility and teamwork.
Here are just a few of the programs you'll see in Boise's schools:
- Nationally ranked high schools - All four of Boise's comprehensive high schools, Boise, Borah, Capital and Timberline have been ranked among the top 9% in the country by The Washington Post for the past three years for providing rigor through Advanced Placement coursework;
- An Advanced Placement program with at least 23 AP offerings in each comprehensive high school. Boise students took 37% of the statewide Advanced Placement exams in 2012, and scored well above the national and state averages, earning thousands of credit waivers and college credits at universities across the country;
- Commitment to the arts, including band, orchestra, and choir programs beginning in elementary grades. In 2011, The National Association of Music Manufacturers recognized Boise as one of the top U.S. communities for music education. The District's outstanding art program offers coursework including ceramics, painting and drawing;
- The AVID program, a college-preparatory program for junior and senior high school students who are performing in the academic middle (www.avid.org);
- Gifted and Talented Education programs for qualifying students;
- English Language Learner programs for Limited English Proficiency students; and
- Extensive Special Education programs, including Madison Early Childhood Education Center which provides services to developmentally disabled preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5 and support to their families.
News Media Contact:
Dan Hollar
Public Affairs Administrator
Boise School District
(208) 854-4064
dan.hollar@boiseschools.org
www.boiseschools.org
