The Board of Education met on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 to review the year’s accomplishments and discuss items of interest that could be addressed in the coming school year and beyond. 

Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe reviewed major accomplishments of the year, including the adoption of a mission and vision statement; an unprecedented increase in salaries for teachers; the completion of an ambitious new-school and school renovation program with money from the 2010 voter-approved bond; improvements to the elementary school schedule; and efforts to balance enrollments through boundary adjustments. 

Board member Clareen Arnold asked questions about CTESS, the educator evaluation tool. She also reviewed some of the responses to the survey about CTESS. Arnold also expressed frustration with SAGE assessments. She said she’s personally invested in a change in the assessments based on her experience as an educator. Board 1st Vice President Nancy Tingey suggested planning a future discussion, which would include a presentation on CSD’s SAGE results by Canyons Research and Assessment Director Dr. Hal Sanderson.  Tingey also suggested obtaining input from teachers at all levels. 

Tingey presented information and led a discussion about the District’s vision, mission, values, tenets, and indicators. She also asked Board members if they have suggestions for the evaluation tool used by the Board to review the performance of the Superintendent and Business Administrator. Board members asked to send their written input to Board leadership by July 11.

President Taylor asked the administration for an employee-retention report. 

Board 2^nd Vice President Amber Shill presented an idea to insert STEM- and STEAM-related “makerspaces” into Brain Boosters time in the elementary-school schedule. The Board also asked for an update on the elementary-school schedule, including teacher collaboration and Brain Boosters. 

Dr. Briscoe presented information about gifted and talented programs in the District, including pathways to Advanced Placement classes. Tingey asked the Administration to ensure that communications are sent to parents about the optional exam that opens the door for students to participate in accelerated programs at the middle school level. The Board also discussed some of the pros and cons of having pull-out or magnet programs for gifted and talented or accelerated students. The Board also discussed ensuring access to AP and other accelerated-learning offerings at high schools.

Board member Steve Wrigley asked for additional information about the District’s dual-language immersion programs. He also discussed some of the challenges in providing DLI classes, especially at the secondary level. Wrigley also asked for an update on the Standards-Based Grading.  The Board also had a discussion about Standards-Based Grading. 

Tingey presented information about service learning. She and other Board members also discussed ways to make the schools welcoming environments.

Shill also presented ideas about creating a Board handbook.

Board member Wrigley discussed how the District is supporting the well-being of students.

The Board also addressed the issues surrounding a bond election. Board members discussed the possibility of doing a patron survey, creating a communication plan, and a financial-impact study. President Taylor also urged a judicious and systematic approach to creating a list of projects.

The meeting concluded with reports from Board members: 

• Tingey expressed gratitude to the Board for their hard work, dedication, and service to the community. She said constituents and patrons feel like the District is responsive. 
• Shill appreciated the status reports provided to the Board before the roundtable discussion. 
• Wrigley said he appreciates the tone and topics of the Board retreats.  He feels like the Board is in the “driver’s seat.” He also discussed information about the profile of a career- and college-ready graduate.  
• Board member Mont Milleberg said it feels very different to be a part of Canyons than it was during his first term on the Board. He said patrons are complimentary of the District’s decisions. 
• President Taylor thanked Millerberg for bringing an analytic mind to the Board issues; Wrigley for his dedication to the well-being of students; Shill for her sharp intuition; and Tingey for her study and mastery of complex education issues. Taylor also expressed appreciation for Arnold’s commitment to students, and Board member Chad Iverson’s attention to detail.  Taylor expressed appreciation for District staff, and said he was grateful to be a part of the Canyons District family.