Canyons District Offices, 9150 S. 500 West
Middle Schools to Kick Off District-wide Intramurals Program
The Board approved a unique, middle-school intramural program that includes Cross Country, 3-on-3 Basketball
and Ultimate Frisbee seasons and a one-day district-wide tournament for each sport. The program,
to be implemented this fall, is cost-effective, supports the healthy lifestyles curriculum and helps gauge
interest for future competitive sports programs. The three activities were selected for their potential draw
and ease of implementation. The Board’s action addresses a component of the Student Choice Committee’s
study.
Canyons Prepared to Welcome Students Aug. 26
The Board received school readiness reports from the departments of Information Technology, Special
Education, Facilities, Accounting, Nutrition Services, Transportation, Purchasing and Human Resources,
and praised department directors for their excellent work.
School Boundary Adjusted
The Board voted to adjust the boundary between Midvale and Butler middle schools, affecting a neighborhood
where 80 percent of students attend Butler by choice. The students in the new Butler boundary will
receive busing, for which they are eligible under state law. About half of the $15,000 bus cost will be reimbursed
by the state. The action follows a petition by about 40 former Mountview Elementary families
drawn into the Ridgecrest Elementary boundary when the Jordan Board of Education closed Mountview
in 2005. The Board voted to not change staffing at Hillcrest or Midvale Middle so those schools are not adversely
affected by the adjustment.
Patron Comments: Cottonwood Heights resident Jeff Sorensen addressed the boundary matter, and urged
the Board to provide a bus for neighborhood students attending Butler for safety and other reasons. Resident
Darylann Ashby said the neighborhood has asked for the boundary change since Mountview’s closure.
Board Action: The Board approved the consent agenda, which included the Aug. 4 minutes, home instruction
requests, purchase agreements, a July expenditure report, Special Education Policies and Procedures,
and overnight travel requests for Alta High’s Dance Company, Ballroom Team and Shakespearean Festival
attendance; the District FCCLA; and the Brighton High Cross Country Team.
Board Member Reports: Vice President Sherril Taylor and President Tracy Cowdell praised departments’
efforts to ready Canyons for the first day of school. Board member Mont Millerberg reported on the Canyons
Healthy Lifestyles Day, the Jordan Education Foundation golf tournament, and suggested the board
look into healthy lifestyles and gang-prevention programs. Paul McCarty and Ellen Wallace reported on
the USBA Delegate Assembly. Mr. McCarty said the board got a boost on its mission statement following
the meeting’s focus on student achievement. Mrs. Wallace said she wants to work with White City on park
expansion, and look into a music and dance therapy program. Kevin Cromar attended Lone Peak and
Draper elementaries’ Mandarin Chinese Dual Immersion summer performances, praised Mr. Millerberg for
a positive boundary debate, and asked the board to examine a weighted GPA and capital outlay budget
plans. Kim Horiuchi thanked the staff for their efforts, and suggested the district could look into American
Cancer Society Relay for Life fund-raisers for schools.
Study Session: The Board received a report from the Evidence-Based Learning Department about its efforts
to unite teaching, learning and assessment to forward student achievement. The department will operate
based on projects and priorities, which include literacy, numeracy, services for advanced learners,
and preparing all students for college and careers. The board also received a Career and Technical Education
report on staffing, programs and planning, including a possible engineering academy. The Board met
in an emergency closed session to accept an employee’s resignation.
