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

Midvale Elementary Comprehensive Restructuring Proposal

Midvale Elementary Principal Chip Watts presented the Midvale Elementary Comprehensive Restructuring Proposal, which was created to address the Title I school’s failing grade in the state’s school-grading system. Watts said the proposed restructuring plan, which would cost $174,978, would expand the Dual Language Immersion Program at the school; restructure how the administrators work at the school; maximize instructional time; assign teachers to specific content areas; and strengthen relationships between teachers and families. Board member Mont Millerberg, who represents Midvale, urged more parent participation in the restructuring plan. He also asked to be a part of the committee to put into place the improvement blueprint.

Recreation Center Partnership

The Board of Education approved an interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for improvements to a South Mountain-area recreation center that will serve as the pool for Corner Canyon High swim teams. The center will be funded by the Zoo, Arts and Parks tax approved by voters in November 2016. Canyons will contribute $1.3 million that will fund additional deck space, bleachers and a scoreboard. CSD also will pay an annual $6,000 maintenance and operations fee.  Construction is expected is take two years. However, the Board passed the agreement with one caveat:  The county must strike a line requiring the District to pay a lane fee at the pool. 

Trail System Expansion

The Board considered granting an easement to Salt Lake County that would be used to complete a ZAP-tax-funded pedestrian trail system through Sandy and White City. This easement would run along the west side of Edgemont’s property line. The Board directed the Administration to work with Principal Cathy Schino to present the proposal with Edgemont’s School Community Council and seek input from parents. Feedback from the community would be brought back to the Board for review.

Legislative Update

Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards updated the Board on progress with key pieces of education-related bills being weighed during the 2018 General Session of the Utah Legislature.  

Graduation Requirements

The Board agreed to allow Canyons District’s high schools to advertise 24-credit diplomas as an option in registration handbooks, provided the handboks include language from the District’s policy manual, which makes clear that the 24-credit diploma is “available for extenuating circumstances upon administrative approval” subject to several guidelines.

Sixth-Grade Math Pathway

Instructional Supports Department Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward described a proposal to update the secondary math pathway to encourage more sixth-grade students to pursue advanced courses through middle and high school. The Board will take up the matter again at a future meeting.

Recognitions

The Board of Education recognized the following students, faculty and staff:

• Jordan Thomas, Alta High, winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Leadership Award from the University of Utah
• Brayden Stevens, Brighton High, 5A state wrestling champion in the 152-pound weight class
• Kade Carlson, Corner Canyon High, 5A state wrestling champion in 220-pound weight class
• Brighton High swimming coach Todd Etherington, Utah High School Activities Association’s 5A Coach of the Year
• Jack Binder, Brighton High, first place 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard free relay, 5A State Championship
• Rachel Butler, Brighton High, first place, 200-yard individual medley, 5A State Championship
• Taua Fitisemanu, Brighton High, member of the 200-yard medley relay, 5A State Championship
• Chase Miyagishima, Brighton High, member of 200-yard medley relay, 5A State Championship
• Quentin Tyler, Brighton High, member of 200-yard medley relay, 5A State Championship
• Eric Wagner, Brighton High, member of 200-yard freestyle relay, 5A State Championship

Career and Technical Education Update

CTE Director Janet Goble updated the Board on technical-education programs in Canyons District. Goble noted the success of the Canyons Technical Education Center’s Diesel Technology Program, which has received a certification from the Associated Equipment Distributors, an international trade association.  Only one other high school in the U.S. has earned this certification. The program has received more than $100,000 from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development as part of an initiative to train more diesel technicians in the state.  She also mentioned the Medical Innovations Pathway program at Jordan High, which trains students for entry-level industry jobs and prepares them for post-secondary education in the medical field.  Goble also announced that CSD has been selected to start working with Salt Lake Community College in an IT Pathways initiative that was announced by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and supported by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.  The aim is to train students for high-demand jobs in the high-tech sector. Firms at Silicone Slopes, including Dell, DOMO, Instructure, Xactware, and Instructure, have committed to providing internship and job-shadow opportunities for students. CSD is the only District in Salt Lake Valley to have been selected for the pilot program. She said 2,500 CSD students are taking computer-science courses, and mentioned apprenticeships, such as the ones provided at Hunt Electric, Inc., for CSD students. In all, she said, 1,756 Canyons students participate in CTE student organizations like DECA, HOSA, and FBLA and 1,685 earned industry credentials.

Pledge of Allegiance, Posting of the Colors

Students at Midvale Middle student officers led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Midvale Middle Principal Mindy Robison gave the reverence, reminding the audience of the importance of setting and achieving goals. She invited the public to visit the new school, which opened this year. Midvale Middle, home to SALTA, Middle Years International Baccalaureate, and Dual Language Immersion programs, has 910 students, and 68 percent of them qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches. Twenty percent are English Language Learners, and the school services many students who are living temporarily at The Road Home homeless shelter in Midvale. Robison lauded her faculty and staff for their dedication to student achievement. 

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the minutes from the meeting of the Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2018; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student overnight travel requests; January Financial Reports; LAND Trust amendment for Alta High; Digital Citizenship Resolution; and a cell-tower contract at Ridgecrest Elementary. 

Superintendent and Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe congratulated CTE Director Janet Goble and her team on a successful CTE Month. He also congratulated President Sherril Taylor for winning the City of Sandy’s Outstanding Local Elected Official Award. He thanked the Board for spending a significant amount of time during the Board meeting discussing how the District can boost student achievement.  He also told the Board he would follow up on concerns expressed during Patron Comment about CSD’s ABS units. He urged students and teachers to be vigilant to what’s happening on campus so we can keep school communities safe. He also encouraged parents to be aware of what their children are doing, saying, and posting on social media. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox updated the Board on additions to the bus fleet and thanked the Facilities Department for clearing the sidewalks and parking lots after last night’s snow storm.  He noted the District’s efforts to keep students, teachers, principals and staff safe at school. 

Board Member Reports

President Taylor said he accepted the award from Sandy City on behalf of the District and its hard-working employees.  He also thanked Goble and her team for their efforts in CTE. 

Mr. Mont Millerberg congratulated Taylor on his award. He thanked the Board members for their support of the schools in Midvale.

Mr. Steve Wrigley lauded the District for its updated Incident Command Manual and the mental-health supports provided to students. He reported on visits he had with the new Sandy mayor and councilmembers. He thanked Board members Amber Shill and Nancy Tingey for their work on Capitol Hill during the 2018 General Session of the Utah Legislature.

Mrs. Amber Shill reported on attending the production “Shrek” at Albion Middle.  She also congratulated Taylor for receiving the award, and said she appreciated the robust conversation of board members on difficult topics. She thanked CSD employees for their hard work.

Mrs. Nancy Tingey thanked Board members for their commitment and dedication to the District.  She reported on attending a meeting with the Student Advisory Council, the Albion Middle musical, and the PTA Day on the Hill. She also congratulated Taylor on his award, and expressed thoughts on the importance of safety at schools.   

Mrs. Clareen Arnold says she is thankful for the positive and thorough input given by Board members in discussions about important subjects. She thanked the departments that keep the schools running, and said she looks forward to working on the Emergency Preparedness Committee so CSD can continue to hone emergency plans.

Mr. Chad Iverson also said he prays for the continued safety of our students.