Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via Diligent by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.
Board Summary
The Long-Range Planning Committee recommended to the Board of Education a seven-year timeline to provide new facilities to school communities that are consolidated because of declining enrollments. The proposed construction also would replace aging facilities. In a presentation to the Board, Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said the recommendations are based in CSD’s commitment to strengthening feeder systems, preserving student opportunities, and ensuring that every community is provided a high-quality elementary school that is safe, secure and wired for the demands of the 21st century. Wilcox said the facilities could be funded without increasing the District’s debt level. Under a tax-rate-neutral funding schedule, new debt could be layered in as old debt is retired through established payment schedules. According to the proposal, a two-year construction of a new Sandy Elementary could start as soon as fall 2028. In Phase No. 2, work could start on a new Ridgecrest Elementary, which next year will welcome students from Bella Vista, which is closing as an elementary. That same year, construction could start on a new school for current Park Lane and Willow Canyon students if the Board approves the proposal to merge those two school communities. In addition, the proposal called for the new school to be built on the Park Lane campus. The final project would either be a new building for East Midvale or a Granite-Quail Hollow community if the proposal to consolidate Granite and Quail Hollow is approved. The Board has scheduled two public-input meetings to discuss the proposed mergers of Park Lane-Willow Canyon and Quail Hollow-Granite elementary schools. March 10 is the date for the 6 p.m. hearing at Granite. March 19 is the 6 p.m. hearing at Park Lane. If either or both proposals are approved this spring, transition teams for both school consolidations would begin in summer or fall 2026, with implementation for the 2027-2028 school year.
Strategic Plan
Canyons District is building the capacity of Professional Learning Communities to drive instructionalimprovement, consistency, and student outcomes. Every Friday, Canyons schools release early so teachers can meet as teams to discuss student learning, review achievement data, focus on instructional practices, and collaborate on the needs of students in their classes. The subcommittee of the “High-Quality Learning” section of the Strategic Plan regularly evaluates the effectiveness of PLCs in Canyons schools, said School Performance Director Mindy Robison, who leads the subcommittee. This includes how teachers are using their safeguarded PLC time to collaborate “horizontally” with same-grade colleagues and “vertically” to assess how learning happens over time as children progress from elementary to secondary school. The committee also has discussed how CSD is setting a clear definition of academic rigor. In collaboration with the District’s Instructional Supports Department, the committee and Academic Team are refining instructional guides to includes clear examples of rigorous instruction. In addition, CSD provides ongoing professional learning for teachers, administrators, and instructional coaches to deliver rigorous, integrated, high-quality instruction, she said.
Legislative Update
The Board of Education heard a presentation about the education-related bills in the 2026 General Session of the Utah Legislature. External Relations Director Charlie Evans, who leads CSD’s legislative affairs effort, reviewed the status of several bills, including proposed legislation addressing school safety. The community can stay informed via a daily update on CSD’s legislative efforts. Canyons’ bill tracker, which is sent by the RSS feed on CSD website.
Patron Comment
The following patrons addressed the Board during Patron Comment. Recordings of the remarks can be accessed on Diligent:
- Zhu Heitman
- James Hulme
- Lisa Niederhauser
- Chase Farrington
- Emily Hansen
- Amanda May
- Heather O’Kane
- Kathryn Torella
- Nai Kanell
- Elizabeth Flamm
- Laura Edmonds
- Lane Vaniakis
Canyons Innovation Center
The first-ever logo to brand and promote the new Canyons Innovation Center was presented to the Board of Education by Associate Communications Director Kirsten Stewart. The logo for the new CIC features a series of rippling “C” rings anchored by an “I” as the focal point. The new logo came from months of collaboration and student-driven competitive analysis, focus groups, and graphic design. Contributing directly were students from the Canyons Technical Education Center’s Business Leadership and Media Design classes as well as external designers and the District’s graphic design team. Canyons employees, parents, and industry partners also helped define the center’s personality and purpose.
Consent Agenda
The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the approval of minutes of the Feb. 3, 2026 meeting of the Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; and January Financial Reports.
School Highlights
The graduation rate at Diamond Ridge High has increased to some 87 percent, said Principal Amy Boettger. The school — Canyons’ alternative high school — also has rising numbers of students who have a 2.0 or better GPA, says Boettger, who also noted the success of the music program, now in its second year. To address chronic absenteeism, and to affect student achievement, Boettger and her team put into place “mini-terms” and added an attendance requirement. As a result, she said, some 77 percent are earning a 2.0 or better GPA. In addition, Diamond Ridge is seeing a marked decrease in office referrals for violations of school rules or extreme behaviors. Next year, Boetgger said, the school plans to start offering concurrent enrollment classes.
School Fees
Canyons continues the required process to obtain public input for the for the 2026-2027 student fee schedule. A list of proposed fees, including the proposed increases for CTEC classes, is available for review on Canyons’ website. A third reading of the proposed fee schedule will be in March. Families are encouraged to review the proposed fee schedule and provide input to the District.
Staff Reports
Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins thanked CSD’s Long-Range Planning Committee for their work examining data and brainstorming proposals for the Board. He expressed condolences to the family and friends of CTE Director Janet Goble, who died Sunday after a battle with cancer, He noted the success of the 2nd annual Canyons Education Support Professionals Conference on Friday, Feb. 13.
Mr. Wilcox thanked administrative personnel for organizing the ESP Conference, which was held at Brighton High. He also noted the news that CSD’s grant application for a Catalyst grant yielded $17.2 million. Wilcox remarked on the Board’s approval of the baseball-field improvement project at Jordan High, and said JHS will be the only CSDD school with the lighting system. Crews are making headway on the Beetdigger auditorium, black box theater and the fieldhouse. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
Board Reports
Ms. Holly Neibaur thanked Wilcox for the presentation of the recommendations from the Long-Range Planning Committee. She also noted CSD’s legislative work and Ms. Goble’s influence on CTE programs throughout Canyons.
Mr. Jackson Lewis reported on attending East Midvale’s Living Traditions Night. He plans to attend the production of “Phantom of the Opera at Hillcrest.” He also remarked on the information presented as part of the recommendations from the Long-Range Planning Committee. He voiced his support for a new school on the current Park Lane campus. He also honored Goble’s memory.
Mr. Andrew Edtl lauded Goble’s dedication to CTE and recalled a tour of the student-built home that was sold to a CSD employee. He expressed his sympathies to her family and friends. He expressed excitement for the significant facility improvements at Jordan High.
Mrs. Amanda Oaks honored Goble’s memory and said her legacy will continue at the new Canyons Innovation Center. She wished the community a Happy Lunar New Year, which was celebrated during an event at Corner Canyon High. Families with children in the Chinese-English DLI program have enjoyed the event in the past. She reported on attending Concerto Night at CCHS and went to the state Capitol to work with CSD’s legislative-affairs team.
Mrs. Katie Dahle said that Diamond Ridge is “knocking it out of the park” for changing the schedule and implementing attendance regulations. She also commented on Goble’s contributions to CSD. She thanked the ESP Conference planning team, noted CTE’s Job Shadow Day, and thanked Ms. Pedersen for the work she does as a Board member, including serving as the Utah School Boards Association representative and attending all the Superintendent Listening Tour stops.
Mrs. Karen Pedersen recognized Goble’s contributions to CSD. She reported on her attendance at the Listening Tour meeting with the Facilities Department. Pedersen encouraged all employees and students to thank facilities personnel for their work. She attended performing-arts events and is looking forward to seeing the spring stage productions.
President Shill said the keynote at the ESP Conference — former Brighton and NFL star Bryan Kehl — gave an excellent presentation to employees. She expressed appreciation for Canyons’ ESP and said they are the “backbone” of CSD’s operations. She remarked on the CTE Job Shadow Luncheon, one of the passion projects of Goble. She noted that Goble’s influence on CTE programs will continue at the new Canyons Innovation Center.
