CALDWELL, Idaho — With students back in classrooms, Caldwell School District Superintendent Scott Montoya is beginning his first school year in the district with a focus on improving academics, expanding career opportunities, and keeping students safe.
Montoya took over as superintendent after nearly three decades in education, including 22 years in administrative roles with the West Ada School District. He previously served as principal at Mountain View High School and Lake Hazel Middle School.
One of his priorities is expanding the options available to Caldwell students after graduation.
“I want to see cosmetology. I want to see construction, plumbing…” Montoya said.
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He said expanding career and technical education programs could give students more opportunities to pursue college, a career or a hands-on trade after high school.
Montoya also wants to improve student performance in the classroom.
According to the Idaho Report Card, about 31% of Caldwell students were proficient or advanced in English language arts on the 2024-25 ISAT, compared with about 53% statewide.
In math, about 21% of Caldwell students were proficient or advanced, compared with about 42% statewide.
Montoya said the district needs to continually look for ways to improve.
“We can always improve until we're 100%. We've always got to look for ways that we can be better,” he said.
Part of that work, he said, involves making sure classroom instruction aligns with what students are expected to know on state assessments.
“We really need to align that, making sure that we're teaching what's tested and making sure that it looks familiar,” Montoya said.
Academic performance isn't the only issue facing the district.
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Safety around Caldwell schools has also been a concern, particularly after three Caldwell students were hit by vehicles in crosswalks.
Montoya said addressing those concerns will take communication and education, with responsibility shared across the community.
“It’s really communication and education and making sure that everybody has a part in it because it shouldn’t just be on the police department to make sure that everybody’s following the rules and laws and the safety,” Montoya said.
He said drivers need to watch for pedestrians, while students also need to remain aware of their surroundings.
“For example, if it’s dark, you don’t cross the street in front of somebody because that person may not see them,” he said.
Montoya said ultimately, safety is a community effort, with everyone having a role in keeping each other safe.
Montoya said retaining teachers and staff is another priority.
He said that starts with making sure employees feel valued and includes remaining competitive when it comes to salaries.
The district is also preparing for a potential levy that could go before Caldwell voters in November.
The Caldwell School Board has approved moving forward with a proposed levy for the November ballot. However, the district still needs to formally submit the details to the county before announcing additional information about the measure.
For Montoya, the new school year is about identifying areas where the district can improve while giving students more opportunities to succeed.
“I want to just fill in some gaps,” Montoya said.
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