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

School Fee Process

Canyons started the required public-input process for the 2026-2027 student fee schedule. New this year: State law requires CSD to establish a path to graduation that does not require a class fee or waiver for learning activities. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox noted that CSD must hold two opportunities for patrons to comment on the proposed schedule, which must identify the maximum fee amount per student for each activity and the total amount that one student would have to pay, regardless of how many activities they participate in throughout the school year.  Wilcox explained the fee school be based on the cost to provide the activity, class, or program and the spending plan for every fee collected. All fees are subject to waiver and every CSD school has assigned an administrator to review and grant all waiver requests. Wilcox also said Utah lawmakers may divert funds that were once dedicated to help school districts. So far, of a promised $35 million appropriation in 2024, CSD has received $923,000, of which $640,000 was distributed to schools to help cover fees that were waived for qualifying students. The remaining $283,000 of the promised allocation to CSD was going to be sent to schools in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. This amount, plus a promised $553,000 for 2027 and $370,000 in 2028, will be clawed back by the legislation if the Executive Appropriations Committee’s recommendation passes. For the coming year, CSD is proposing a maximum of $6,000 for one student to pay in one year for frees. Class fees will remain at $35 but an increase for parking permits from $10 to $20 is being considered.  Wilcox also said CSD is proposing a $10 increase in participation fees for Athletic and Performing Groups that would help pay for custodial personnel that cover weekend activities.  A list of proposed fees, including the proposed increases for CTEC classes, will soon be available for review on Canyons’ website. 

State of the Arts

Canyons District students love to rock. A groundbreaking class for rock musicians at Canyons District’s alternative high school and a new Alta High course about the history and social influence of rock music are being held out as two ways Canyons schools are attracting and engaging students in school music programs. In a presentation about the State of the Arts in CSD schools, Canyons’ arts specialists Dr. Mindy Curtis, JP Kentros, and Bradley Moss also told the Board of Education that innovations, such as a new Music Technology class, have prompted students who previously did not want to take a music elective decide to enroll in band or orchestra.  The total number of secondary students who take at least one class has stayed relatively high—and steady—in CSD schools, which boast some of the top arts programs in Utah. Some 113 percent of all high schoolers have participated in an arts class, and the participation levels are among the reasons for stellar programs. To wit: Hillcrest High has received the “Best of State” Award for its theater program for two consecutive years. In addition, Canyons schools have won big at state marching band competitions, statewide visual arts shows, the national high school Shakespeare competition, and adjudicated choir, band, and orchestra festivals. The arts also are an important part of elementary education in Canyons, as well. CSD employs 21 Beverley Taylor Sorenson arts teachers to promote arts integration across the curriculum. Another arts-centric data point:  Some 341 elementary students are involved in 18 orchestra instruction at school. Curtis, Kentros, and Bradley said the goal is to further amplify instructional success and connecting arts-based learning to the CSD Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Canyons Scholar. Other emphases include the expansion of arts integration, continue building up resources for instructional initiatives to encourage participation in the arts, facilitate connections between elementary. Secondary and high school teachers and programs, and work with arts-teacher leadership teams to refine instructional guides and professional development opportunities.

Indicators Update

Following the Board’s Roundtable discussion about the progress of major initiatives. the District Administration compiled a list of the ways CSD will measure advancements on key indicators.  Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins presented the information to the Board, which will schedule updates and presentations during public meetings so that the public is aware of CSD’s focus areas.

Legislative Update

The Board of Education discussed the bills being debated and reviewed during the 2026 General Session of the Utah Legislature. Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards, who helps represent Canyons’ priorities and interests on Capitol Hill, presented information about education-related bill.  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. The “legislative tracker” is created and distributed by CSD legislative-affairs team.

Board Meeting Schedule

The Board of Education discussed its schedule for upcoming meetings.

School Highlights

Butler Elementary Principal Tracy Stacy said the school’s mission and core-values statements focus on the value of learning together, setting high expectation, and listening to every voice. The approximately 600 students at Butler are kind, respectful, and achieving at high levels on state assessments, largely due to the high quality of instruction of the faculty, she said. Stacy also mentioned that Butler expanded its visual arts learning through additional funds provided through the School Community Council.  She thanked the Board for funding assistant principal positions at most elementary schools. 

Patron Comment

The following patrons addressed the Board during Patron Comment. Recordings of the remarks can be accessed on Diligent:

• Sara Caldwell
• Chanda Li
• Jackie Ball
• Kim Womack
• Janie Linkel-Owens
• Jenny Wong
• Alexandra Larson
• Kate Hulme
• Audrey Hanks
• Jeanette Knight
• Giaconda Velez
• PJ Mannum
• Ali West
• Tristyn Farrington
• Shannon Herbert
• Jared Herbert
• Eric Edwards
• Taylor Berhow
• Samantha Jones
• Henry McConkie
• Jeanette Knight
• Jake Garfield

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Corner Canyon cheer coach Whitney Lunt, the 6A Coach of the Year, for leading her team to a 6A state championship. The team is at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship this week.
• Student Wellness Services Program Administrator Chanci Loran for earning an “exemplary” status on the Youth in Care audit by the Utah State Board of Education.
• Butler Middle band and orchestra teacher Enrique Tellez for being named to Yamaha’s “40 under 40” list for young music educators.
• Lone Peak teacher Cassie Walker for becoming a National Board Certification Teacher. Alta High world languages teacher Karina Zapata also earned re-certification.
• All 70 counselors in honor of the Feb. 2-6 National School Counseling Week.
• Corner Canyon’s Casey Sutera and Jordan’s Marc Albertson, plus former U. player and current first-grade Peruvian Park Elementary teacher Cal Beck, for joining Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins on the most-recent episode of Connect Canyons. Former NFL star Sealver Siliga also joined the “resident experts” panel on the annual Big Game predictions show.
• Crescent Elementary faculty and staff for being chosen as Fox 13’s “Cool School of the Week.”  Fifth-grade teacher Maggie Johnston was presented with a $250 donation from Granite Credit Union to support Crescent’s gardening club.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes for the Jan. 20. 2026 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; and purchasing bids.

Superintendent. Business Administrator

Dr. Robins expressed thanks to the parents and personnel who participated in Patron Comment. He noted the Board and Administration value community engagement.

Mr. Wilcox remarked on HB65, reminded the Board about the Feb. 13 ESP Conference at Brighton High, and mentioned the announced retirements of HR’s Paulette Takata and Payroll’s Ladeana Jenkins. The central office’s custodian, Bryon Veendendaal, is retiring, as well. 

Board Member Comments

Ms. Holly Neibaur encouraged patrons to contact legislators about HB65, thanked parents for their comments about housing a proposed new school community in the Park Lane facility instead of at the Willow Canyon building, said she worried about the recent adjustment to the DLI program.

Ms.  Karen Pedersen invited the community to the upcoming Unified hoops tourneys, remarked on CSD’s display in the rotunda at the State Capitol, noted that 555 bills have been proposed in the current legislative session, mentioned a bill that would make local school board races partisan, and

Ms. Katie Dahle congratulated Brighton’s hockey team for advancing to the final game, thanked Board members for their work during National School Board Recognition Month. She noted the declining enrollment that requires challenging decisions, including the consolidations of schools.  She also said fellow Board members represent their patrons with integrity and do not violate state laws or policy regarding conflicts of interest.

Ms. Amanda Oaks encouraged patrons to become more involved in the legislative process. She also thanked DLI patrons from Lone Peak for asking questions, expressing concern, and urged residents to attend a Town Hall Wednesday at Lone Peak.

In response to the late hour, Mr. Andrew Edtl and Mr. Jackson Lewis declined to speak in the interest of time. 

President Shill thanked the District’s Legislative Affairs Team for their work during the legislative session, reported on attending Ridgecrest’s School Community Council meeting, and thanked the school’s faculty, staff and parents for welcoming the Bella Vista community after the vote to consolidate the schools.