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 was joined by a group of teachers to speak in support of the Midvale Elementary Comprehensive Restructuring Proposal, which was drafted to address the Title I school’s failing grade in the state’s school-grading system. The Board of Education approved the $174,978 restructuring plan. The plan calls for a split of Midvale administrative roles so one assistant principal can focus on academics and another on the provision of mental-health and emotional supports.  It also assigns teachers to specific content areas; restructures the schedule to maximize instructional time; and provides financial support for teachers and staff to make visit to student homes. The school also seeks to expand and strengthen the Dual Language Immersion Program. 

Land Sale, Purchase

The Board of Education approved the sale of District-owned land at 11500 S. Lone Peak Parkway for $6,749,099. This 13-acre parcel was previously acquired as a potential site of an elementary school in west Draper. However, Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the Board of Education, the land is not ideal because it’s not located in the part of the District where growth is expected to occur. In addition, he said, there would be limited access points and construction would require significant earthwork to remediate the west slope. To be prepared for expected student growth, though, the Board also voted to purchase 11.7 acres on the west side of the train tracks as a potential site for an elementary school, which was identified as a priority at the time of the November passage of the $283 million bond. The newly purchased land, costing $4,872,000, is at 11900 S. 550 West. The property is adjacent to a five-acre city park and will have more access points for ingress and egress. Building costs also would be lower because not as much earthwork or remediation would be required for construction, Wilcox said.

Recognitions

The Board of Education honored the following for their achievements: 

• Canyons Board of Education President Sherril H. Taylor, who was named 2018 Outstanding Local Elected Official by Sandy City
• The Bionic Porcupines, made up of students at Butler and Midvale middle schools, Alta High, and the Beehive Science and Technology Academy.  The group won the 2018 Northern Utah State First Lego League
• Boys and girls basketball players who were named to the Utah High School Activities Association’s Academic All-State roster. The girls hoops players include Brighton High’s Sidney Kaufmann and Macy Raddon, Corner Canyon High’s Hannah Sanderson and Nicole Critchfield and Jordan High’s Peyton Naylor. On the boys’ teams, honorees included Hillcrest’s Bassel Tekarli and Brighton’s Adam Christensen.

Legislative Update

Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards updated the Board on education-related bills that are being debated in the final days of the 2018 General Session of the Utah Legislature, which ends at midnight on Thursday, March 8. Representatives from Canyons will be at Capitol Hill to monitor discussions and provide information to legislators until the end of the session.

Policy Update

Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen discussed proposed changes to policies governing employees in public office, particularly the state legislature; termination of employment; reporting of child abuse; and release-time classes for religious instruction. These changes have been discussed by the District’s Policy Committee. The Board will review the proposed changes. 

Meeting Schedule for the Board of Education

The Board of Education reviewed a proposed schedule for Board study sessions and business meetings from July 2018 to June 2019.

Pledge of Allegiance, Reverence

The American and state flags were posted by Webelos Pack 3430, the members of which attend Peruvian Park Elementary. The reverence was given by Jenny Dompier, a teacher and administrative intern at Peruvian Park Elementary.  Principal Leslie Jewkes announced Peruvian Park Elementary is being considered as a U.S. Department of Education Blue-Ribbon School. Jewkes said that although Peruvian Park is a site of a SALTA magnet program for advanced learners, the faculty, staff and volunteers have worked hard to build a “one-school” culture.   

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the consent agenda, including the minutes of the Feb. 20, 2018 meeting of the Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; and requests for student overnight travel. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Canyons Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe thanked the Board for supporting the Midvale Elementary Comprehensive Restructuring Proposal. Dr. Briscoe reported on attending the FIRST Robotics state competition on the Maverik Center on Friday and Saturday and the final 5A boys basketball game on Saturday at the University of Utah.He congratulated Corner Canyon for their second-place finish in the Utah High School Activities Association tourney. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox thanked Canyons representatives who are working at Capitol Hill during the legislative session. He also thanked the teachers who worked hard to connect with parents during Parent-Teacher Conferences and honored his son’s teacher for being recognized as part of KSL-TV Channel 5’s “Teacher Feature.” 

Board Member Reports

Board First Vice President Mrs. Nancy Tingey remarked on the award won by the Bionic Porcupines and how they were known for being good problem solvers. She encouraged students to focus on being problem solvers instead of always reflecting on what they would “like to be” when they grow up. Mrs. Tingey also commented on attending the unveiling the Sacred Murals project at Brighton High. It’s the fifth such mural to be completed in Canyons District. 

Mr. Steve Wrigley spent some time visiting several high schools and noted how Midvale Elementary’s Dual Language Immersion model might also benefit non-native English speakers at the high school level. He also remarked on how attendance is dropping at Parent-Teacher Conferences and asked whether there might be a better way to conduct them. He also attended the unveiling of Brighton High’s Sacred Images Mural and participated in Dr. Seuss Day at Oakdale Elementary.

Mr. Mont Millerberg expressed appreciation to the Midvale teachers who are invested in the Midvale Elementary school-turnaround plan. He also reported on the changes to the design of the Hillcrest High reconstruction to enhance security measures. He expressed a desire to build schools “as safe as we can make them.” 

Mr. Chad Iverson asked if the Board could engage in a future conversation about the structure of Parent-Teacher Conferences.

President Taylor noted the importance of recognizing student and staff achievements as the Board does at its regular meetings. He also thanked his wife, Pat, for her support since his election to the Board of Education in 2004. He also announced that he will not be seeking re-election in November and encouraged engaged citizens to consider running for the Precinct No. 6 seat on the Board of Education. Taylor, an inaugural member of the Canyons Board of Education, reflected on the work done to launch Canyons, and thanked the teachers, principals, staff and parents for helping create a world-class school district. He pledged to represent his constituents with fidelity until the last day of his term.