Note: Mp3s and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs and by clicking the corresponding agenda items.

Turf Approved For Brighton Football Field

The Board voted unanimously to install artificial turf on the football field at Brighton High School. Design work on the $1.5 million project will start immediately, and the field will open in fall 2015. However, the timeline for completion may be affected by inclement weather, availability of materials, and the work schedule of companies that specialize in turf installation. Land constraints have forced the Bengal football team and other BHS athletic squads to practice on the stadium field. This has caused holes and divots in the grass that are difficult to repair and maintain. The installation of turf on the football field will help prevent injuries to players, Board Member Amber Shill said. Brighton’s football stadium is the only one in the District without artificial turf.

Elementary Security Vestibules Fast-Tracked

The Board has fast-tracked the timeline to install vestibules in all elementary schools to provide additional security at the schools’ front entrances. The District had planned to install the vestibules, created by installing an additional set of security doors at front entrances, in all elementary schools by 2017. The Board to advance the completion date to December 2016. Security vestibules have been installed at 12 elementary schools to date, Facilities Director Rick Conger reported, and two more — Butler and Alta View — will have security vestibules when those buildings are rebuilt in fall 2016 and fall 2017, respectively. The vestibules will be installed at the remaining 15 elementary schools by December 2016. CFO Leon Wilcox said the additional security measures are a high priority for the district. The project will cost $1.5 million, $250,000 of which already has been budgeted.

Board Seeks to Maintain Community Ed Via Partnerships

The Board expressed a desire to partner with community organizations including Salt lake County Parks and Recreation to provide community education services to CSD patrons. Director of Student Advocacy and Access Karen Sterling and Community Education Coordinator Amy Boettger have met with county representatives, who warmly received the idea of collaborating to expand services to the community. They anticipate adding classes, maintaining afterschool programs, and preserving jobs. Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe suggested drafting a proposed MOU to forward the discussion.

Facilities Committee to Examine Boundaries

The Board granted the Facilities Committee permission to examine high school boundary adjustments as well as additions to schools in its discussions. The Facilities Committee of school leaders and community representatives, created in August to examine ways to address portables and enrollment growth at Draper Park Middle School, Corner Canyon High School and Midvale Elementary. The Board in February approved four classroom additions to Midvale. Board Member Chad Iverson, a committee member, said the committee has included Alta High in its discussions because smaller enrollments may result in loss of offerings including AP Calculus. Taylor said Alta, which enrolls about 1,700 students, needs 2,000 students to preserve academic programming. Iverson said the committee wants to examine boundary changes that would better balance high school enrollments. Dr. Briscoe said any boundary adjustments would come with at 18 months’ notice to parents. Tingey recommended proposals also space in schools to allow for permits.

High Growth Observed in Student Achievement

The Board examined student achievement growth patterns in English Language Arts, comparing 2009-2010 student achievement to 2013-2014 achievement. Evidence-Based Learning Directors Amber Roderick-Landward and Dr. Hollie Pettersson said Canyons elementary students’ state test scores increased from 4 percent above state averages to 8 percent above state averages, outpacing growth by comparison districts. On reading fluency tests, elementary student achievement went from 58 percent proficient to 71 percent proficient on the Winter CBM test. Middle school performance, which Dr. Pettersson characterized as phenomenal, went from 2 percent above state averages to 10 percent above state averages, far outpacing growth by other school districts. The elementary and middle school gains are expected to translate into high schools in the coming years. Dr. Pettersson noted high schools have undergone a great deal of change with grade reconfiguration, when they added a ninth-grade class and teachers. High school growth increased by 1 percentage point. They also noted an achievement gap continues for students in special education, English learners, and low-income students. They said the academic team is focusing on efforts to address it.

The Board will receive a presentation about growth in math and science at a future meeting. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathryn McCarrie said the growth seen to date is due to support from the Board and execution of the academic plan.

Proposed Elementary Schedule Feedback Presented

School Performance Directors Alice Peck and Joanne Ackerman reported that the proposed elementary schedule provides sufficient flexibility for individual schools to address issues that may arise as a result. The report follows an Elementary Schedule Task Force Meeting, called to address any questions of members, who include representatives from each of the district’s 29 elementary schools. The schedule aims to provide sufficient time for teachers to collaborate to improve individual instruction for students and better prepare them for college and careers. Director of Student Advocacy and Access Karen Sterling said the proposal will not negatively impact afterschool programs in place. The proposal calls for trained specialists to provide curriculum-based instruction in such areas as physical education, arts and music while teachers meet to plan and collaborate. The Board is expected to vote on the proposal March 17.

Alternative High School Details Presented

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Robert Dowdle and Dr. McCarrie provided a plan to move forward with creation of an alternative high school to provide more options and flexibility for students needing alternative school services and recapture state per-student dollars to provide those services. Services would start next school year. Much of the staffing is in place now at CSD’s Entrada Adult High School, which serves 170 high-school age students now its facility. Additional portables would be installed to expand services. School administration is in place. Two 2 teachers, special education specialists and related services, and an administrative assistant would be needed for the coming school year. Drs. Dowdle and McCarrie also proposed a sample schedule, a timeline for implementation over the next two years, a recommended the school have its own name to indicate it is separate from Entrada.

Board Action

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 Minutes; Purchasing Bids; and the February Termination Report. The Board also approved student overnight travel for Alta Basketball and Orchestra/Band; Brighton Student Government and Thespian Troupe; and Hillcrest Debate, Student Government and Volleyball.

The Board provided feedback to Policy Coordinator Jeff Christensen about proposed updates to the SCC and Finance policies. The feedback will be discussed later this month by the Board’s Policy Committee, and inform future proposals.

The Board determined members would attend the following commencement ceremonies:

– Alta — President Sherril Taylor, Vice President Steve Wrigley
– Brighton — Shill, 2nd Vice President Nancy Tingey
– Corner Canyon — Iverson, Taylor
– Hillcrest — Board Member Robert Green, Shill
– Jordan — Board Member Clareen Arnold, Tingey
– South Park — Green, Shill
– Entrada — Wrigley, Arnold
– Jordan Valley — Wrigley

The Board continued its annual discussion of proposed funding for under-mileage routes, as well as newly identified safe walking areas, for the coming year to ensure students have a safe way to get to school.

Legislative Update

Tingey updated the Board on the progress of the legislative session, which wraps up next week. She said school districts are lobbying to set the local replacement funding for charter schools at 25 percent instead of the proposed 50 percent, which would cost Canyons an additional $2 million annually once fully implemented, and discuss charter school funding, accountability and transparency during the interim. She also discussed bills regarding school board elections, and said current proposals no longer include local school boards. Rather, proposals include making the State Board of Education a partisan race, a non-partisan race, or a governor-appointed board. She also touched on education funding and a complex bill establishing a school turnaround program.

Student Advisory Council Report

Corner Canyon Student Body Officer Coleman Broman updated the Board on the Student Advisory Council’s work. He said the council has met four times. The councils has discussed the idea that school stores have freedom to request items for their stock. He said students support allowing individual schools to recognize students who earn Honors and Advanced diplomas, and would like to provide a tassel to students achieving one of the college- and career-ready diplomas. The council also supports dress code changes regarding hats. Taylor thanked the students for their report and engagement and recommendations in matters affecting Canyons students.

Patron Comments

Sandy resident Linda Scholl asked the Board to maintain community education. She said it helped her to begin a second career in art. She said people come from all over the Wasatch Front to take CSD courses, which benefit taxpayers without children and offer personal enrichment.

Brighton High parent Kim Steenblik thanked the Board for the Bengal Building and asked that they approve turf on the Brighton football field to improve safety for athletes and prevent additional injures.

Brighton student Jackson Kaufusi thanked the Board for considering fast-tracking turf installation.

Brighton parent Lisa Devashrayee thanked Shill and Tingey for hosting a town hall meeting, which she found to be open and inviting to dialogue for patrons and employees discussing the proposed elementary school schedule. She asked the Board to vote on the proposed schedule soon to give parents time to plan accordingly.

Parent and after-school community education teacher Karen Allen asked the Board to keep community education after school for students who need enriching activities and to help working parents.

Canyons Education Association President Ross Rogers invited the Board to attend a pro-public education funding rally Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the State Capitol.

Parent Lisa Jones said after school-programs are essential for working parents to ensure children are receiving enriching experiences after school and are prepared for the future.

CFO’s Report

Wilcox thanked the Board for their interest in the Legislature and for their work at the Capitol. He said he will meet Friday with bond agencies to discuss the issuance of the final $42 million of the $250 million in bonds voters authorized in 2010.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Briscoe withheld comments, considering the late hour.

Board Reports

Iverson said he and Taylor attended their first constituents meeting of the year, and was glad to receive feedback about music in middle schools.

Arnold attended the district Arts Consortium meeting. She said arts serve as a brain booster and creativity spark, and that daily routines in elementary schools should include music, storytelling, visuals, and the arts to influence children’s lives and prepare them for college and careers. She said the consortium received an article stating that business owners had eight times the exposure to arts, along with STEM fields, in school. She congratulated East Sandy Principal Kenna

Sorenson for being nominated for the National Distinguished Principal award. She congratulated Allan Setterberg, who received a Sandy City Dick and Pat Adair Lifetime Achievement Award; the 22 CSD Sterling Scholar finalists; the 12 Academic All-State honorees; and Jordan High 5A state wrestling champion Tayler Johnson for their achievements.

Wrigley visited Albion Middle School, where he observed teacher teaming, a music class. He praised the improvements at Jordan Valley School, and visited the students there. He attended the autism behavioral workshop, and visited additional special education programs in the district. He attended Alta View college night with Tingey. She said it was robust and well attended, and encouraged other elementary schools to implement similar fairs.

Shill attended the Sandy Chamber’s awards luncheon. She hosted a town hall with Tingey, and thanked patrons and employees and their attendance and discussion. She attended the Cottonwood Heights City Council meeting last week and reported about the district to them. She also visited the Capitol and thanked Tingey and Government Relations Director Charlie Evans and Community Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards for the good work they’re doing. She congratulated the Brighton girls basketball team on their 5A state championship, and the boys team for making it to the finals, as well as their coaches.

Green attended career day at Peruvian Park Elementary, where talked to the students about his work.

Tingey noted that last week was USBA Day on the Hill, and thanked Dr. Briscoe, Wilcox and Shill for their attendance. She noted CSD 11th-graders today took the ACT, and noted CSD was among Utah’s first to give the test to all 11th-graders.