Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.
Digital Divide
The Board of Education approved a proposal by Information Technology Director Scot McCombs to bridge a digital divide among Canyons students. The proposed program will aid the 10 percent of CSD students, including 430 high school students, who do not have Internet access at home. McCombs said CSD was awarded a T-Mobile Empower 2.0 grant to cover the cost of a Chromebook, which could be checked out like a library book but for an extended period of time, and 50 percent of an unlimited filtered hotspot for high school students who qualify for the program under family-income guidelines. Students also would be asked to sign an agreement that outlines the appropriate use of the device. The District’s costs, roughly $20 a month per device, also could be met through the state’s Digital Teaching and Learning Grant. The IT Department now will work with the CSD Purchasing Department to purchase the Chromebooks and begin working with the high schools to distribute the devices.
CTE Month
The emphasis of Career and Technical Education, said Canyons’ CTE Director Janet Goble, is to ensure students graduate high school with the academic, employability and technical skills to succeed in the marketplace. CTE classes help students become ready for the rigors of college and the workplace by helping them see how to apply knowledge in context and authentic situations. The 1,773 Canyons students who participate in CTE student organizations such as FBLA, DECA and HOSA and FCCLA are learning specific vocational skills while also honing leadership, teamwork, and decision-making abilities. CTE courses also are preparing students for life through job shadow, work-based learning, and concurrent-enrollment courses, she said. Last year, 1,687 students earned industry certifications and 6,147 students earned skills certifications. Goble was joined at the Board’s study session by Canyons’ CTE coordinators and Canyons Technical Education Center Principal Ken Spurlock.
Policy Updates
Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen presented proposed updates to policies governing summer school, small unmanned aircraft systems, life with dignity orders, and student overnight travel. The Board took the suggested updates under advisement. Prompted by discussion at the Utah Legislature, Christensen also presented policy information about fees.
Open Meeting Law Training
Legal Counselor Dan Harper conducted a required training of the Utah Open Meetings Act.
Legislative Update
Canyons District External Affairs Director Charlie Evans updated the Board of Education on the first week of the 2019 General Session of the Utah Legislature. He reported on the Utah Senate confirmation of the Shawn Newell as CSD’s representative on the Utah State Board of Education. The Board opted to take a public position against proposed legislation that would create at-large seats on local school boards. Evans also updated the Board on several other pieces of proposed legislation, including one focusing on student fees and another that proposes to change the current school-grading system.
Canyons’ 10-Year Anniversary Celebrations
Communications Director Jeff Haney presented plans to celebrate the 10th birthday of Canyons School District, which was founded on July 1, 2009. The proposed events, which include an arts festival and a birthday party, were discussed and prepared for presentation to the Board by the District’s 10-Year Anniversary Committee.
Recognitions
The Board of Education recognized the following for their achievements:
- CSD Instructional Supports Department, DLI elementary principals ACTFL Melba D. Woodruff Award for Exemplary Foreign Language Program
- Jordan High drill team coach Lacey Wing 5A Drill Team Coach of the Year
- Jordan High dancer Taylor Tilby Utah High School Activities Association’s Heart of the Arts Award
Consent Agenda
The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes from the Jan. 22, 2019 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; student overnight travel requests; the 2019-2020 Board meeting schedule; annual ongoing list of Human Sexuality Supplemental Resources; and a LAND Trust amendment for Indian Hills Middle.
Pledge of Allegiance, Reverence
Boy Scouts who attend Oak Hollow Elementary presented the American and state flags and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Julie Mootz delivered the reverence. Mootz said the 680 student school, whose mascot is the Eagle, have soared on the year-end exams for the past four years. Teachers and parents also are involved, caring and hardworking, she said. Oak Hollow also is home to a French-English Dual-Language Immersion program one of eight DLI elementary programs in Canyons District.
Superintendent Reports
Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe reported on attending the Job Shadow Day organized by the CTE department, which is leading the celebration of CTE Month. He noted that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathryn McCarrie has announced her retirement, and thanked her for her contributions to the District. He also said he plans to attend the Utah School Boards Association training for presidents and vice presidents.
Board Reports
Mr. Mont Millerberg thanked the Boy Scouts for posting the colors and leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. He reported on attending the Draper Chamber of Commerce’s meeting on behalf of the District, CTEC’s Open House, and Albion Middle’s recent production of “Mary Poppins.” He thanked the faculty and staff for making it happen with their time and talent. He recognized Development Officer Denise Haycock for working with Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen on a $350,000 grant Hansen provided to Canyons teachers. He also commented on Midvalley’s Math Night, funded by a national PTA grant.
Mrs. Amanda Oaks reported on her first-ever Town Hall meeting as a Board member. She attended Draper and Lone Peak elementary schools’ Chinese New Year celebrations, a social media information night for parents at Alta High, and legislative meetings at the State Capitol. She also attended an Alta High School Community Council meeting.
Ms. Amber Shill updated the Board on a recent Utah High School Activities Association decision to change the way state tournaments are seeded. Shill said eight sports will adopt the new system, which is used by neighboring states. Girls wrestling and competitive cheer also may soon be sanctioned sports, she said. She reported on attending USBA meetings in Washington, D.C., where she met Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, who represents a chunk of Canyons District.
Mr. Steve Wrigley commented on turnaround schools, an upcoming policy change on the dress code, his attendance at a ribbon-cutting at Alta View Hospital, and the CTEC Open House.
Mrs. Clareen Arnold remarked on the Job Shadow Day, and said she attended “Mary Poppins” at Albion Middle. She thanked Principal Dr. Molly Hart for going the extra mile to support the students in the musical.
Mr. Chad Iverson commented on the Town Hall meeting he held with Ms. Oaks. He also reported on attending the Alta vs. Timpview boys basketball game, and urged the Board to start studying middle school enrollments.
President Tingey gave a shout out to the CSD science fair organizers, and reported on attending the Granite Elementary’s Family STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Night. She recognized the good work of the District’s counselors as part of National School Counseling Week.
