2014 Teacher of the Year Announced
Sprucewood Elementary third-grade teacher Michele Law was named the 2014 Canyons School District Teacher of the Year. The announcement came at the Board’s Teacher of the Year Reception and Recognitions event, in which Teachers of the Year from each school received special recognitions, gifts and prizes.
As part of her award, Law received a $1,000 check, plus another $1,000 for Sprucewood Elementary, courtesy of the Canyons School District Education Foundation. The Foundation this year tripled its investment in the Teacher of the Year program, and also provided $500 checks to two finalists for the top prize. Those finalists are:
– Debbie Delliskave, Midvale Middle
– Diana Haggerty, Draper Elementary
In addition, two other semi-finalists were announced:
– Jody Cheever, Sunrise Elementary
– Cassie Hill, Midvale Elementary
School teachers of the year were announced districtwide in surprise celebrations March 28, 2014. Winners were nominated by their peers, leaders, parents and students, and selected by their school selection committees. The Canyons Teacher of the Year was selected following classroom observations and additional interviews by District academic leaders.
Law is Canyons’ nominee for Utah Teacher of the Year. All teachers of the year will be honored at halftime at the May 17 Canyons Night at Real Salt Lake game.
Budget Information Presented
Interim Chief Financial Officer Leon Wilcox provided a brief budget overview as part of Board budget discussions. Wilcox noted Canyons will have additional revenues, including $3.5 million from a 2.5 percent increase in the WPU state per-pupil funding formula and $500 in property tax revenues from new growth. He said state retirement expenses will be about $1.7 million. He noted District funding requests, including $300,000 for elementary collaboration time, $200,000 for secondary achievement coaches, $200,000 for supplies and technology for schools, and $80,000 for signing bonuses to recruit teachers. Wilcox also presented information about community education district subsidies. Board member Tracy Cowdell suggested studying community education to determine ways to make it stronger and provide greater value to the community.
To listen to the presentation and discussion, visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 5A.
Board Action
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the Home School Affidavit; Purchasing Bids; February and March Financial Reports; March Hires and Terminations; the Land Trust Plan; and ISEF Student Overnight Travel. The Board also approved student overnight travel for the following high school groups: Atla Football and Girls Basketball; Brighton Drill Team and Boys Basketball; CSD FCCLA; Corner Canyon Boys Basketball, Drill Team, Football and Student Government; CTEC and Hillcrest Canyons Skills USA; and Hillcrest Student Government. Wilcox noted the District was asked to open a line of credit with Sandy City in order for utility lines to be run to the new Mount Jordan Middle School, which is currently under construction. Board Vice President Steve Wrigley said he was pleased to see Trust Lands addressing academic issues and thanked the Administration for its guidance.
To listen to the discussion, visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 2A.
The Board determined commencement assignments. They are:
– Alta: Taylor, Tingey
– Brighton: Kim Horiuchi and Robert Green, Tingey
– Corner Canyon: Chad Iverson, Wrigley
– Jordan High: Wrigley and Cowdell
– Hillcrest: Green and Cowdell
– South Park: Second Vice President Nancy Tingey, Wrigley
– Entrada: Green
– Jordan Valley: Wrigley
To listen to the discussion, visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 5B.
Closed Session
The Board met in Closed Session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual.
