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

Transportation Information

The Board of Education opted to reclassify four bus routes because of recent improvements to pedestrian passageways. As a result, the routes are no longer deemed hazardous and the District-funded transportation will not continue after this school year. The decision comes after a lengthy review of all CSD Hazardous Bus Routes, which cost taxpayers more than $1 million each year to run. The most recent study of these routes, which are inside the state mileage guidelines for transportation services, was done in 2013. Ninety-five of the to-and-from-school Hazardous Route bus lines that Canyons provides to students who would walk to school if they had safer walk- and road-ways near their homes and schools will continue to be funded and operated.

Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

The CSD Administration proposes the adoption of a new social-emotional learning curriculum, called “Second Step,” which is recommended by the U.S. Department of Education and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). This would be for students ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade, according to BJ Weller, Director of Responsive Services. The Board will continue to review the proposal. Members also said they would like to visit a school where the curriculum has been implemented. Weller also answered questions from Board members about the SHARP/Prevention Needs Assessment Survey.

TSSA Framework

The Board of Education began discussions regarding a framework to provide guidelines and processes for schools to develop and execute soon-to-be-required Success Plans, now known as School Improvement Plans, with Teacher and Student Success Act funds. Those monies were allocated during the 2019 General Session of the Utah Legislature with the aim of improving achievement. Canyons District anticipates receiving $4.9 million of the $98.8 million given to Utah schools. Eventually, the District’s decided-upon framework will be submitted to the Utah State Board of Education. Canyons officials may use 25 percent of funding – about $1.2 million – to increase salaries for instruction-related personnel. The plans must be submitted to the Board for approval each year. Ideally, the approval process would be completed by June 30. 

Report on Intervention Supports

Instructional Supports Department Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward updated the Board on the supplemental interventions to aid students who are struggling in reading and mathematics. Dr. Roderick-Landward said Canyons schools can select a combination of the interventions based on student needs, as identified by an array of assessments, school resources, expertise of personnel and cost. Elementary schools provide the interventions as part of instruction during the math and literacy blocks. Secondary schools provide the supports in a reading class or math lab in place of an elective course. Dr. Roderick-Landward also provided information about seven intervention programs that have been piloted this year and are scheduled to be part of schools’ Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports for the coming school year.

Policy Updates

The Board is considering adoption of policies governing student-data governance and the District’s admission of homeless children and youth and unaccompanied minors. The suggested policies comply with state and federal laws. Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen also presented updates to policies regarding open enrollment, school admissions and school moratoriums; parent and family engagement in education; student educational travel; school fees, and secondary school schedule changes. The Board will continue to review the proposed updates and additions to the policy manual.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by School Performance Director Mike Sirois. Director of Responsive Services BJ Weller gave the inspirational thought.

Recognitions

The following students, faculty and staff were recognized by the Board of Education for their achievements:

• Hillcrest High’s Alexander Cheng, winner of the 2019 Science category and General Scholar Award at the Sterling Scholar Awards
• Alta High students Christian Affleck and Avery Gunnel, Sterling Scholar runners-up in Vocal Performance and Instrumental Music
• Brighton High’s Caroline Jarman, Sterling Scholar runner-up, Computer Technology
• Hillcrest High’s Alan Zhao, Ashley Howell, Alana Liu, Sterling Scholar runners-up, Mathematics, Skilled and Technical Sciences, Visual Arts
• Alta High’s ProStart Culinary Arts Team, first place in a state competition

Patron Comment

• Parent Brian Williams spoke to the Board about a proposed dress code update. He encouraged the Board to be as specific as possible about the allowed and prohibited standards of dress. He spoke on behalf of about 40 patrons.
• Parent Travis Stephens encouraged the Board to continue his family’s bus route as a Hazardous Route.
• Parent Heidi Parker also encouraged the Board to continue her family’s bus route as a Hazardous Route. 
• Parent Chad Smith urged the Board to make changes to the school-schedule policy. 

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including approval of the minutes of the Board’s meeting on March 19, 2019; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student overnight travel; LAND Trust amendments for Sandy and Sprucewood elementary schools; and the cell-phone tower at Corner Canyon High. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe spoke about some of the issues, such as hiring at each school, that should be addressed in the TSAA guidelines. Dr. Briscoe also reported on attending, with the Board as a whole and several administrators, the National School Boards Association Conference in Philadelphia. He also read the Board notes he received from Oakdale Elementary student to whom he read during the school’s Read Across America celebration.

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox invited the public to the Tuesday, April 16 groundbreaking at Midvalley Elementary. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.  He also thanked the Board members for their service and robust discussions during the business meeting and study session.

Board Member Reports

Mr. Mont Millerberg reported on attending the NSBA conference. He thanked Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen for meeting with teachers and patrons from Midvalley Elementary who had concerns about the proposed dress policy. He expressed appreciation for the civil manner with which the patrons addressed the dress code proposal. 

Mrs. Amanda Oaks also reported on attending the NSBA conference and asked if Board members could schedule a roundtable discussion at which they could share what they had learned. She also thanked her fellow Board members for the respectful dialogue about important issues.

Mrs. Amber Shill reported on reading to Oakdale Elementary students and attending the NSBA conference and the Bridging the Digital Divide launch at Hillcrest High on Tuesday, April 9. 

Mr. Steve Wrigley said the NSBA conference was helpful. He enjoyed the discussion held during the latest Policy Committee meeting. He also attended the Bridging the Digital Divide event at Hillcrest. 

Mrs. Clareen Arnold also said she attended the NSBA conference.

Mr. Chad Iverson said he attended a track meet at which Jordan and Alta high student-athletes competed. He also attended the state percussion competition to see Alta High musicians.

President Tingey reported on attending Jordan Valley School’s spring music event, “Dancing Through the Decades.” She thanked the Board for their hard work and looks forward to hearing their thoughts about the NSBA conference.