Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.

Hillcrest High Rebuild

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox and Hillcrest High Principal Greg Leavitt joined architects in presenting the plans for a rebuild of Hillcrest High to be funded with proceeds from a bond approved by voters in November 2017. The upgrades will be completed in phases over three years to allow students to stay in the building, and are being undertaken with safety and security foremost in mind. A priority of the new plan is to improve traffic flow, making it easier for students, employees, and visitors to safely enter and exit the campus. The Main Office will be located on the ground floor and have an unobstructed view of the building entrance. The footprint is such that administrators will have a clear line of sight of the full length of the school. Doors in the stairwells leading classroom wings can be automatically locked down to stop intruders. Large windows and skylights will be added to bring natural light into the commons area and the classroom wings. Classroom windows that open onto commons areas for group study and teacher-collaboration are designed to contribute to a culture of transparency at the school. They are configured in such a way that they will also preserve safety zones in the classrooms. The existing stadium will be preserved, but among major improvements are a new field house and performing arts facilities. There will be an Open House on Wednesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. where community members can get a closer look at the plans. Construction is expected to start this summer.

Advanced Mathematics Pathway

The Board of Education voted to approve a sixth-grade mathematics offering for advanced learners. The new offering, a mix of in-class and online instruction, would provide an opportunity for all sixth-grade students to participate without having to “test into” the program. Then, if the students successfully completed the class and scored at least an 80 percent on a final assessment, then they could take the Honors Math class with eighth-graders while still in their seventh-grade year. Presently, only students who qualify for an advanced math program can take advantage of a “zero period.” Instructional Supports Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward was asked to report on the program in a year.

Nutrition Services Proposal

The Board received information on the expected costs to provide school meals in the 2019-2020 school year. While costs for school meals would stay the same for 2018-2019, increased staff and food costs may require consideration of a slight increase in 2019-2020. The proposal would call for a 25-cent per meal increase for lunches and a 10-cent increase for breakfast meals at elementary schools and 15-cent increase for breakfasts at middle and high schools. This would be the first increase for school-meal prices since the District’s inception in 2009, even though Canyons’ Nutrition Services costs have consistently gone up. This year, to attract and keep workers, the District provided a salary increase for some Nutrition Services employees. While this helped, it did not solve the worker-shortage problem in school cafeterias. In 2013-2014, CSD spent $5.1 million on food. Two years later, the cost had gone up $500,000 and has gone up every year since, including this school year. 

Preschool Program Update

Early Childhood Education Administrator Terri Mitchell told the Board that 745 students are enrolled in our curriculum-based preschool programs. Some 436 of those receive Special Education services, and 107 are enrolled in the free Title I programs. The remainder are tuition-paying students.  Two new classrooms were added this year, and the program plans to add three more next year. 

Recognitions

The following students and staff were recognized for their achievements: 

• Hillcrest student Kara Komarnitsky, Sterling Scholar, Dance Category
• Corner Canyon High’s Cheer Squad, winners, Small Varsity Division I of the 2018 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla.
• Corner Canyon High senior Emily Arthur, who gained competitive entrance to the Aggie Elevated program for students with disabilities
• Hillcrest teacher Marde Brunson, the FCCLA State Advisor of the Year
• Hillcrest teacher Emily Grass, the DECA New Advisor of the Year
• Hillcrest Drill Team Coach Brenda Searle, 6A Drill Team Coach of the Year

Disciplinary Fines

A proposed restorative justice model may provide structure for schools to reinforce behavioral standards in Canyons District schools, especially for truancies, disorderly conduct or drug or alcohol possession violations. This entails imposing fines for various transgressions. First-time offenders could have the monetary penalties waived if they agreed to attend intervention programs. The fines range from $25 to $50. The proposal comes after widespread juvenile-justice changes, which have made it difficult for authorities to impose sanctions for on-campus infractions. 

LAND Trust Plans

The Board of Education was presented with the LAND Trust plans created by Canyons District schools. The plans, which are reviewed and approved by members of the Board, include each school’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. The Board was asked to approve each plan by the end of April. 

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the consent agenda, which includes the minutes of the March 27, 2018 meeting of the Board; hiring and termination reports; purchasing bids; and student overnight travel requests.

Fee Schedule

Canyons District is not proposing any increases to fees for middle and high school students for the 2018-2019 school year. This information was presented to the Board by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bob Dowdle. 

Location of Portables

The Board of Education approved the placement of two portable classrooms at Albion Middle, one at Quail Hollow Elementary and two at the Canyons Technical Education Center. 

Patron Comment

Speaking on behalf of Midvale City, Laura Magness, the city’s communications specialist, expressed appreciation to the Board for the new Hillcrest High. She lauded the design of the building, which focuses on optimizing student learning while also having security measures. 

Betty Shaw, immediate past director of Region 17 PTA, thanked the Board and Administration for being responsive to the needs of the schools and community.

Pledge of Allegiance

Boys Scouts who attend Lone Peak Elementary posted the colors and led the audience in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Lone Peak Elementary Principal Tracy Stacy delivered the reverence.

Superintendent and Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Briscoe reported on attending the Region 17 PTA Spring Training.  He thanked the patrons who serve in all capacities in the District. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox reported that Board secretary Denise Haycock is transferring to the Office of External Affairs. She has accepted the position of the Development Officer for the Canyons Education Foundation. He also recognized Hillcrest Principal Greg Leavitt for his hard work on the designs of the new building. He also mentioned the school’s response to provide counseling supports in the wake of the two deaths of student deaths over spring recess.

Board Reports

Mr. Chad Iverson expressed condolences to the family and friends of the students who died in a rollover accident near Littlefield, Ariz. 

Mrs. Nancy Tingey said she had the opportunity to attend the National School Boards Association Meeting where she picked up many inspiring ideas. She also attended Albion Middle’s announcement of Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Mont Millerberg said he attended the NSBA annual conference in San Antonio, Texas. He expressed condolences to the family and friends of the two Hillcrest students who were fatally injured over Spring Recess. In addition, he lauded Principal Greg Leavitt for his work on the designs of the new Hillcrest High. He also mentioned being able to attend several Teacher of the Year announcements. 

Mrs. Amber Shill reported on attending Butler Middle’s Teacher of the Year announcement and Talent Show, and the National School Boards Association conference.

Mr. Steve Wrigley also reflected on the NSBA conference. He reported on serving as a substitute teacher, learning about the “Leader in Me” program, and encouraged the community to attend an upcoming autism training. 

President Sherril Taylor commended central office staff and administrators, and remarked on the transformation that is taking hold as schools are rebuilt and upgraded.