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

Budget Hearing

Following a budget hearing, the Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt a financial plan for Canyons District for 2019-2020. The $533 million budget reflects the amount to be collected in property taxes and state support via the $3,532-per-student Weighted Pupil Unit, the state’s education funding formula, which is a 4 percent increase over the previous year’s WPU allocation. Also included in this budget is the negotiated agreement with the Canyons Education Association, which provides a $7,665 salary increase per teacher and elevates a beginning teacher’s salary to $50,000 a year. Approximately $13.7 million of additional property tax revenues will be needed to fund this increase. This will require the District to exceed its certified tax rate for the first time since 2009. According to the budget, new tax revenues will go only toward the new teacher pay schedule, which will represent a double-digit percentage pay hike for CSD educators. A Truth-in-Taxation hearing for the proposed tax adjustment will be Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Canyons Administration Building-East, 9361 S. 300 East. If approved, the cost to patrons would be about $140 a year on an average-priced home in CSD boundaries. The budget also includes the expenditures to continue its ambitious school-improvement schedule. Rebuilds of Brighton and Hillcrest high schools, a major renovation of Alta High, and a rebuild of Midvalley Elementary, as well as “daylighting” projects and Front Office renovations at various schools, are being paid for with funds from a the voter-approved $283 million bond. The budget also includes Alta High’s “Step2theU” early-college program, Hillcrest and Jordan summer academies for at-risk students, maintenance of the current class size, and a personnel “cushion” of 30 teachers to support middle school teaming, elementary split classes, and other academic and social-emotional learning initiatives.

Several patrons spoke during a public-comment period on the 2018-2019 budget.   

• Patron Steve Van Maren commented on the proposed increase of the certified tax rate and asked about increases for student-support services.
• Patron Anna McNamer expressed support for the Board’s consideration of a salary increase for teachers in Canyons District. 
• Patron Bob Clark expressed concern about the Board “going to the well” to increase salaries instead of first cutting budgets. 
• Midvale Elementary teacher Korin Hapairai thanked the Board for the District’s focus on social-emotional learning, including personnel who can work with students with behavioral issues.
• Patron Veronica Reginato voiced support for the budget, particularly for student support services. 

The Board also adopted a revised budget for 2018-2019.

Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments for the 2019-2020 school year: 

• Christie Webb, currently Principal at Copperview Elementary, will be the new Principal at Sandy Elementary. She will replace Cory Anderson, who recently had been transferred to Sandy from Bella Vista Elementary before resigning to pursue another professional opportunity.
• Jeri Rigby, currently Assistant Principal at Midvale Elementary, will be Principal at Copperview Elementary.
• Sara Caldwell, who had been assigned to be an Assistant Principal at Mount Jordan Middle, will replace Rigby at Midvale Elementary.
• Sierra Eastmont, currently a Title I specialist, will become an Intern Assistant Principal at Mount Jordan Middle to replace Caldwell.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education voted to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes the minutes from the May 21, 2019 meeting of the Canyons Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student-overnight travel requests; May financial reports; approval of 2019-2020 TSSA Success Plans and CSIP addendums; the acknowledgement of the receipt of the Root-Cause Analysis Report for Diamond Ridge High; and an interlocal agreement with South Valley Sewer for the new Draper Elementary parking lot.

Recognitions

The following students, faculty and staff were recognized for their achievements:

• Brighton High student Redd Owen, 5A state champion, first-singles tennis
• Brighton High students Justin Allen and Jacob Simmons, 5A state champions, second-doubles tennis
• Corner Canyon High Boys Track and Field, 5A state champions
• Corner Canyon High student Van Fillinger, 5A state shot put champion
• Corner Canyon High students Aly Milford, Kayla Milford, Paje Rasmussen and Emma Bagley, 5A state champions, 4×100 relay,
• Corner Canyon High student Emma Bagley, 5A state champion, 100 meter hurdles 

Evaluations for Superintendent, Business Administrator

Board President Nancy Tingey asked the Board to provide input for the evaluations for Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe and Business Administrator Leon Wilcox. 

Pledge of Allegiance, Inspirational Thought

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bob Dowdle led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.   In the inspirational thought, Dr. Dowdle recalled a moment recently when he was confronted by a peer who remarked that “public education is broken.” He said he disagreed, noting the hard work of teachers, the dedication of students, and the commitment of volunteers and business partners. Dr. Dowdle says he sees rising graduation rates, increasing scholarship numbers, and the countless artistic and athletic achievements as proof that public education is not broken.

Patron Comment

Canyons Education Association President Erika Bradshaw addressed the Board about the proposed salary increase for Canyons teachers.

Midvale Middle teacher Madeline Chilcut thanked the Board for the proposed salary increase for teachers.

Patron Paul Brooks says he supports the proposed salary increases for teachers. Brooks, a parent of students involved in robotics, addressed policies that govern activity fees and overnight student travel. He urged the Board to take into consideration the effort that students put into their projects as they decide policies that could restrict participation in competitions.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Dr. Briscoe congratulated the graduates of Canyons high schools and remarked on the well-run commencement ceremonies.  He also remarked on the professional development provided to administrators on social-emotional learning and restorative practices.  He thanked Wilcox and his team for building the budget.

Wilcox thanked Accounting Director Gary Warwood for his work on the budget and expressed appreciation for the Board’s willingness to consider the items proposed in the budget. State approved Canyons’ TSSA program.

Board Reports

Mr. Chad Iverson reported on attending commencement exercises for Alta and Corner Canyon high schools. He said graduation day is a highlight of the year. 

Mrs. Clareen Arnold attended Jordan High’s graduation rites and said she delighted in watching the excitement in the students’ eyes. She also discussed the District’s TSSA decision-making process. 

Mr. Steve Wrigley said the teacher-compensation package sends a message to teachers that they are valued by the Canyons Board of Education. He also reported on attending Diamond Ridge and South Park Academy graduation ceremonies. 

Mrs. Amber Shill reported on attending Hillcrest and Brighton graduation ceremonies and this week’s meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee.  She said she enjoyed reading the TSSA Success Plans and encouraged schools to be innovative with the funds.  She thanked the finance team for their work on the budget.

Mrs. Amanda Oaks reported on the graduation rites at South Park Academy and Alta and Corner Canyon high schools. She urged parents to become involved in increasing student achievement via the expenditure of TSSA funds.

Mr.  Mont Millerberg reported on attending Hillcrest and Diamond Ridge high school graduation ceremonies and the Family Literacy Center Night. He also attended the employee BBQ on Monday at the Transportation Department. He also thanked the Facilities Department for their work in minimizing the traffic impact to his neighborhood as construction crews worked on the sewer pipes at 7800 South as part of the new Midvalley Elementary project.

President Nancy Tingey reported on speaking at South Park Academy’s graduation rites.  She thanked the employees for continuing to work on challenging tasks during the school year so school can start seamlessly in the fall.  She thanked Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathryn McCarrie and School Performance Director Joanne Ackerman, who are both retiring, for their service to the District.  She encouraged the community to attend the July 1 Birthday Party for Canyons District, and said the Board will be doing a service activity to help CSD’s HR Department.