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

Boundary and Enrollment Study 

A motion to remove from consideration a proposal to consolidate the under-enrolled Park Lane and Willow Canyon elementary schools tied at a three-to-three vote. Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the motion needed more than half the votes to pass. President Amber Shill, Co-Vice President Andrew Edtl and Board member Holly Neibaur voted in favor of the motion. Co-Vice President Amanda Oaks, and Board members Katie Dahle and Karen Pedersen cast dissenting votes. Patrons can listen to the Board’s discussion on the motion, as well as the substitute motion, by  accessing a recording of the CSDtv livestream:  https://www.youtube.com/live/ZvEaMxRlAGY?si=iCu8gPHXdeauLP57. While a quorum of the Board of Education was in attendance as required by the Utah Open Meeting Act, the full seven-member panel did not attend in-person. Board President Amber Shill asked General Counsel Dan Harper to review policy and applicable law regarding whether the physically absent Board member, Jackson Lewis, who was traveling at the time of the meeting, could join the meeting by telephone to cast a vote on the motion. District policy allows Board members to attend meetings by electronic means — by voice or video — but their technology-assisted attendance “shall be announced at the meeting and noted in the minutes.”  Harper submitted to the Board that CSD policy, while not explicit, intends for physically absent but electronically participating Board members to be announced at the outset of the meeting as acting members of the quorum. As this did not happen, the motion failed. The Long-Range Planning Committee also recommended to the Board to include the Raintree neighborhood in Granite Elementary’s boundaries to be assigned to Brighton High. Currently, the students are assigned to Albion Middle and Jordan High. The neighborhood requested the change to keep students with their peers as they advance from elementary to middle and then to high school. 

Legislative Session Review 

Of the 1,021 bills introduced in 2026 by Utah lawmakers, some 240 directly impact the operations of Canyons School District, according to a review of the session by External Relations Director Charlie Evans. This is a marked increase from the two previous legislative sessions, during which 962 and 940 total bills were filed, respectively. In 2024 and 2025, 197 and 219 passed bills directly affected public education and Canyons schools, said Evans, who also noted the technology bills that passed.  The review also listed the education bills that did not pass and the ones that are expected to be revised and refiled in future years.  While many legislators are willing to engage in conversations about education-related issues, Evans specifically mentioned the Capitol Hill partnerships with Rep. Tracy Miller and Sens. Kirk Cullimore and Heidi Balderree. Evans told the Board that Miller fought hard to claw back the $17.8 million in school-fee offset funding that was at risk of being pulled. He also expressed appreciation for Cullimore’s role in creating more flexibility for school districts who seek to partner with Utah public universities and colleges outside of their Utah System of Higher Education-assigned service areas. Notable fiscal impacts from the session include a 4.2 percent increase, or $4,870, to the Weighted Pupil Unit, the state’s per-student funding mechanism. The Educator Salary Adjustment will follow the current year core inflation rate rather than the WPU, according to the presentation. Legislators also provided a $25 million increase for at-risk student programs, with $1.3 million coming to CSD. Eliminated was $839,000 in Digital Teaching and Learning funding for CSD. Furthermore, the Board was provided a list of the bills that will require study and action. This includes SB181, which calls for updates to school seclusion-rooms policies. The District also will need to adhere to SB167, which updates the process of sharing information with other school districts prior to a student’s enrollment. Directors of various CSD departments have been provided a list of bills that will affect their portfolio of responsibilities. 

Canyons Innovation Center 

More than $30 million of the renovation budget for the Canyons Innovation Center will come from the sale of surplus District property, Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the Board of Education. Another $17.2 million, Wilcox’s presentation noted, will come from a Catalyst Center Implementation Grant from the Utah State Board of Education.  The grant, recently won by CSD, will be linchpin in transforming the former regional headquarters of eBay into a cutting-edge learning hub focused on career readiness. To date, funding has been approved for architectural designs, the start of work on the Trades Building, and planned interior renovations, which are scheduled to being in April. Sam Soter, who is working to establish business partnerships at CIC, presented plans to create and strengthen connections with industry.  

LAND Trust and TSSP Process 

School Performance Director Alice Meridith reviewed the process the Board follows to review and approve proposed school 2026-2027 Land Trust and TSSP plans. 

Strategic Plan 

Student Wellness Services Director Dr. Brian McGill updated the Board on the efforts taken by a subcommittee focusing on the “Human-Centered Supports” area of the Strategic Plan. Dr.  McGill presented information about the recent districtwide training for Education Support Professionals, a job study for Education Support Professionals and Miscellaneous employees, and the request to extend the hours of employee daycare centers. McGill also noted CSD has moved to Magellan to provide Employee Assistance Program services. The Board also was provided information on the life skills curriculum for high school students, the attendance committee formulation, data from the SHARP survey, and top indicators for student wellness and success, including digital wellness, sleep patterns, and substance use. Information about CSD’s Behavioral Training and Support was provided to Board members.  Student Wellness Services also has presented 34 “Red Shoes Living” awards for the employees’ awareness, respect, professionalism, and gratitude. 

School Highlights 

Corner Canyon High Principal Dina Kohler attributed the success and spirit of the school to the dedication of the personnel at the high school. They “give their whole hearts” to helping CCHS students achieve at high levels in the classroom, on the performing stage, and on courts and playing fields, she said.  Kohler also thanked the Board for approving funding for the Fieldhouse and new turf on fields. 

Canyons Strong Recognitions 

The following were recognized for their accomplishments: 

• Jordan High’s Unified basketball team, for winning the state tournament 
• Draper Park, Albion, Eastmont and Butler boys and girls hoops teams, for winning at the CSD Middle School Intramurals Basketball Tournament. Teams from each grade competed against other CSD middle schools. 
• Brighton swimmer Luan Barnard, for being named the 6A boys Swimmer of the Year.  Barnard also won the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke events. He also was part of the state-title-winning 400-free relay team. 
• Swimmers on Alta’s boys team, for winning the state title in the 200-medley relay. 
• Alta’s Skyla Stiehle. for winning Unified state title in the girls 50 freestyle. 
• Brighton Model UN, for winning the National Security Award and the Award for Excellence in Preparation at the International Model UN Conference in New York City. 
• Speech and debate students from Alta, Brighton, Corner Canyon, Hillcrest and Jordan high schools, for winning state in multiple categories.
• Butler, Draper Park, and Eastmont advanced orchestras for being selected to perform at Libby Gardner Hall at the University of Utah for UMEA’s State MS Orchestra Festival. Butler received straight superiors from judges. DPMS also won a Sweepstakes award. 
• Alta High for hosting the state Jazz Band Festival in recent weeks. All Canyons schools that played at the festival earned an overall superior rating with Brighton earning some of the highest scores of the festival.  
• Jordan High student musicians, for earning honors at the Heritage Festival Competition in San Diego, Calif. Jordan’s wind symphony took third place, jazz band won second, orchestra placed second, Madrigals earned second, and the a capella choir took first in the school’s division.

Patron Comment 

The following participated in Patron Comment.  Recordings of their remarks can be accessed on CSDtv and Diligent. 

• Margaret Swanicke
• Drew Pearson
• Heather Dupaix
• PJ Mannion
• Brianne England 
• Kinley Garfield 
• Cody McConkie 
• Brianne Denoyer 
• Jake Garfield 
• Sarah Mannion 
• Shannon Herbert 
• Jared Herbert
• Taylor Berhow 
• Jeanette Knight 

Consent Agenda 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, including minutes from the March 3, 2026 meeting of the Board of Education; minutes from the closed session on March 10, 2026; minutes from the public hearing on March 10, 2026 at Granite Elementary; minutes from the closed session on March 12, 2026; minutes from the March 19, 2026 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; minutes from the Park Lane Elementary public hearing on March 19, 2026; purchasing bids; February Financial Reports; the 2026-2027 proposed bell schedule; TSSP and LAND Trust Amendments for Willow Canyon and Alta View elementary schools; phase 2 renovation plans of the Canyons Innovation Center; and a USBE waiver request for digital literacy. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports 

In his first Board meeting after being appointed the next CSD superintendent, Dr. McKay Robinson thanked parents for participating in the community-engagement part of the Boundary and Enrollment Study.  He lauded CSD parents’ involvement in the education of their children. He reported on attending Eastmont’s AVID showcase, the middle school intramurals hoops tourney, a Stand4Kind presentation, Granite Elementary’s “School of Rock” production that featured the school’s ACC students, the Canyons Education Foundation Gala, an Oakdale student recognition event, and the Lone Peak Elementary Art Show. 

Mr. Leon Wilcox thanked Utah legislators for a $25 million allocation to help support at-risk students. He acknowledged the contributions of Canyons Technical Education Center Principal Doug Hallenbeck, who has announced his retirement. Wilcox also welcomed to Dr. Robinson to his new role and extended appreciation to Dr. Rick Robins, who is retiring. 

Board Member Reports 

Mrs. Holly Neibaur congratulated Ms. Cami Aley for being named the Viking’s Teacher of the Year. She looks forward to seeing teachers honored as part of CSD’s Teacher of the Year program. She reported on attending the Canyons Education Foundation Gala and mentioned the keynote speaker, a former Draper-area school graduate who now works at NASA. 

Mr. Andrew Edtl said Canyons families are fortunate to have fantastic teacher for their children. His children have benefitted from the quality of CSD teachers and support staff.  He is looking forward to the upcoming conference of the National School Boards Association. Mr. Edtl also thanked parents for their input and feedback. 

Ms. Amanda Oaks reported on attending Lone Peak’s art event.  She expressed appreciation for outgoing Superintendent, Dr. Rick Robins, and welcomed Dr. Robinson to his new role.  

Ms. Katie Dahle thanked PTA volunteers for the efforts on activities that focus on promoting literacy, including the Book Blitz. She thanked the board of the Canyons Education Foundation, which raised nearly $100,000 at last week’s gala.  The Foundation also collect and gives out in-kind donations. 

Ms. Karen Pedersen noted the service of Board members on CSD committees. She reported on attending the Foundation gala and thanked Eastmont Assistant Principal Taylor Hansen for coordinating CSD Middle School Intramurals.  She also congratulated Maryann Jensen’s win at state speech conference and said she looks forward to seeing the photos and video of the surprise Teacher of the Year announcements at each school. 

President Shill remarked on the passion CSDD parents have for their neighborhood schools.  She thanked the entire Canyons community for participating in the community-engagement process of the Boundary and Enrollment Study.