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

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including: the minutes of the Board of Education on April 20, 2021; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student overnight travel plans; the 2022-2023 Board of Education meeting schedule; a Canyons Online high school credit recovery curriculum; an acclaimed social-emotional learning curriculum for use in CSD high schools, “School-Connect—Optimizing the High School Experience;” updates on policies governing immunizations and student attendance; and the appointments of Kalisi Uluave as an Assistant Principal at Alta High and Amanda Parker as an Assistant Principal at Albion Middle School. Uluave replaces Alta’s Assistant Principal Kelli Miller who has accepted a position in another school district. Parker replaces Albion Middle Assistant Principal Sandy LeCheminant who has accepted an academic coaching assignment at Albion.

Budget Update

Canyons Business Administrator Leon Wilcox provided the Board an update on the 2021-2022 budget, which will include a legislatively-appropriated 6 percent increase in the weighted pupil unit, and increases in Teacher and Student Success Account funding, Land Trust funding, and funding for students who face special obstacles to learning. He also reported on capital expenditures to improve and maintain school buildings, and federal funding expenditures. Wilcox explained this will be the last year CSD property owners will see the “Old Jordan Debt Service” line appearing on their property tax statements. This means Canyons District patrons will no longer be required to pay debt that was accumulated by the former Jordan District. He also noted the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will extend universal free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year. The Board will receive more budget updates at future meetings as part of the District’s annual budget-approval process. 

Patron Comments

• Bruce MacArthur, a Canyons District parent, expressed gratitude for the District’s COVID-19-related health and safety protocols.
• John Larsen, a Brighton High parent, spoke with appreciation for the District’s COVID-19-related health and safety protocols.
• Albion Middle School teacher Lauren Nielsen spoke in support of the state health order requiring masks in schools.
• CSD students Casey Putcher and Alivia Auryn talked about the challenges they face having to wear face masks at school. 
• Clarison Nichols, a dual-language immersion student, spoke about the difficulties of learning a world language while wearing a face mask.
• Steve Henderson, a CSD parent, spoke about the philosophical origins of Critical Race Theory, and why he opposes it.
• Gale Sears spoke in opposition to the state’s health order requiring masks in schools
• Rebecca Colley spoke in opposition to COVID-19 testing.
• Amanda Moxley, a parent, spoke in opposition to the state’s health order requiring face masks in schools.
• Adam D’Sousa, a Lone Peak Elementary parent of a child with special needs, expressed gratitude for the District’s COVID-19-related health and safety protocols.
• Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights and a CSD parent, reported on outcomes from the 2021 Legislative Session and thanked the District for their service and hard work this year.
• Lenae Larsen spoke in opposition to the prolonged nature of state health protocols.

Policy Update

The Board of Education approved updates on policies governing student clubs,  immunizations; the protection of athletes and students with head injuries; graduation diplomas; and work-based learning. 

Land Trust and TSSA Plans

School Performance Director Alice Peck updated the Board on the process and timeline for reviewing and approving school Land Trust and TSSA plans. 

Strategic Planning Update

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins updated the Board on progress with an extensive process to review and enhance the District’s strategic vision and mission plan. The consulting firm Education Elements, which has been hired to guide the process, will meet on May 11 with a project team to establish a timeline and framework. Involved in that meeting will be Board President Nancy Tingey, Board member Amber Shill, Dr. Robins, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bob Dowdle, External Relations Director Charlie Evans, and Instructional Supports Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward. A comprehensive update will be shared at the next Board meeting on May 18.

Teacher of the Year Recognitions

The Board of Education adjourned at 6:45 p.m. to allow Board members to travel to Alta High for a ceremony honoring CSD’s Teachers of the Year. At the ceremony, Alta High dance teacher Traci Raymond was announced the high school Teacher of the Year and the overall Canyons District Teacher of the Year. Also honored were Albion Middle math teacher Dan Croshaw, the CSD Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Maria Teresa Gallo, a Silver Mesa Elementary dual-language immersion teacher, who is the CSD Elementary School Teacher of the Year.  Raymond was provided a $1,000 cash prize and Gallo and Croshaw were each provided $500 cash prizes courtesy of the Canyons Education Foundation and the Jordan Credit Union.