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

Budget Approvals

The Board of Education voted to adopt a final budget for FY 2025-2026.  In the final budget, said Business Administrator Leon Wilcox, the expected General Fund revenues increased from about $399 million to $401 million. The original budget included $408 million in expected General Fund expenditures. The final budget listed about $410 million in Fund expenditures.  The Board also voted to tentatively approve a proposed 2026-2027 budget, which includes a modest compensation increase for employees. This continues the Board of Education’s long-standing investment in CSD employees, who have been provided some kind of a compensation increase every year since Canyons District’s inception in 2009. Eighty-nine percent of the tentative budget’s funds are dedicated to salaries and benefits, and Canyons District teachers are among the highest-compensated in Utah.  In fact, Wilcox said, starting annual pay for licensed personnel in Canyons has increased from $50,000 in 2019-2020 to $65,825 for the coming school year — a 31.7 increase.  However, this increase is dependent on a proposed certified tax rate adjustment. Accordingly, the Board voted to hold a 6 p.m. Truth-in-Taxation hearing in Aug. 4 on this proposed rate alternation.  If approved, the rate increase would generate funding for the cost-of-living increase for employees to help offset real-wage cuts caused by inflation.  In addition, the funds would employe two additional teachers at the still-in-development Canyons Innovation Center, the technical-training facility to be housed at eBay’s former regional headquarters. Funds also would be used to pay down construction bond debt, and as debt retires, the funds would be used to address needed elementary school building repairs without increasing the tax burden on property owners. Under the proposal, the annual tax increase for the average home in CSD valued at $770,000 would be an estimated $27, or $2.60 per month. At the hearing, patrons may provide comment in-person or by letter. Patrons also will be able to participate via video and by audio.

School Meal Prices

The Board of Education approved an increase to the cost of lunches and breakfasts in Canyons cafeterias — the first price changes since the 2022-2023 school year. The new prices were proposed in response to a 16 percent increase in the consumer price index for food, said Business Administrator Leon Wilcox. Starting in the fall, costs will be $2 for elementary breakfasts and $2.50 for elementary lunches. Secondary students will be charged $2.25 and $4 for breakfast and lunch, respectively. Canyons’ Title I schools — Copperview, East Midvale, Midvale, Midvalley, and Sandy elementary schools — will continue to serve free breakfast and lunch.

Policy Update

The Board of Education approved changes to two policies.  First, the Board approved an update to a policy governing student wellness. The updated policy, which adheres to new state law, prohibits specific food additives in food that is sold, donated, offered, or served in schools, said Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen. The policy states the following exceptions: A student’s parents may provide students with a food item with the prohibited food additives or a school may sell a food item with banned additives from vending machines or at a concession item at a school-sponsored event or extra-curricular activity. Then, the Board approved an update to the policy regarding technology use in schools. Per the policy, which also follows state law, a student will not be able to use a cellphone, smartwatch, AI glasses, or emerging technology at a school during classroom hours unless a legal or policy exception applies. The policy also calls for a bell-to-bell ban for middle schools. However, high schools have exceptions for personal device use as outlined in current Board Policy, consistent from previous school years. Specifically, during classroom hours, personal electronic devices will need to be off or on silent and out of sight or stored, unless a teacher specifically allows device use for an educational purpose. Students also will be allowed to use devices before school, during lunch, and during passing periods between classes, so long as such use is not disruptive.

Facility Usage

The Board of Education is considering a proposal to house Entrada, CSD’s adult high school, and the Life Skills Academy, Canyons’ special-education job-training program, at the Bella Vista building, starting in 2027-2028. Currently. Entrada operates out of the facility for Diamond Ridge High, which needs space to grow, said Dr. Tom Sherwood, Director of CSD’s High Schools. LSA operates from the old Crescent View Middle building which is under contract to be sold to Sandy City.  The Board asked Dr. Sherwood to ensure parents were aware of the facility-use plan and were provided an opportunity to provide feedback. 

Patron Comment

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

• Nancy Nichols
• Shayla Streiff
• Marida Sueldo
• Bethany O’Neill
• Abbie Lubek

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes for the June 2, 2026 meeting of the Board of Education; purchasing bids; May financial reports; and instructional materials for a sex-education curriculum.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. McKay Robinson thanked Facilities Director Matt Wolford and his team for planning the annual Facilities Day. He also expressed appreciation for the retiring Bryon Veenendaal, the head custodian at the District Office, for his efforts to keep the CSD headquarters clean and well-maintained.  The Superintendent also congratulated Midvalley Elementary Principal Margaret Swanicke for being named Principal Mentor of the Year by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals.  Dr. Robinson noted the professional development on the new mathematics curriculum being held throughout the summer by Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward’s Instructional Supports Department’s specialists. He also noted that the meeting would be the final one before the official retirement date of Human Resources Director Steve Dimond, who has been with CSD since its beginning days. Dr. Robinson thanked Dimond for his contributions to the growth and success of Canyons District. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox thanked the Board for their support and guidance throughout the ongoing budget process. He also expressed appreciation for Veenendaal and Dimond, as well as CSD’s other retirees, as they begin their new chapters. He wished the entire Canyons community a safe, relaxing and fun Summer Recess.

Board reports

Ms. Karen Pedersen reported on attending Facilities Day and Entrada Adult High School’s graduation ceremonies, where she was able to include information in her address about the school’s new logo and colors. She remarked on the stories of perseverance of Entrada graduates.

Ms. Katie Dahle expressed thanks for the CSD educators who are engaged in professional development, even just weeks into Summer Recess. 

Ms. Amanda Oaks noted the plans to launch the Canyons Innovation Center. Construction and renovation work is well underway, she said.  As demand for the Innovation Center increases, she said, the Board and Administration should be prepared to make sure access if provided to as many students as possible. 

Mr. Jackson Lewis issued a statement regarding the price increase for school lunches and breakfasts. He encouraged the Canyons community to contact legislators with messages of support for a state-funded universal school meals program.

Ms. Amber Shill reported on attending the Entrada graduation and said some of the most inspirational student speeches were given at the adult high school’s rites.  The crowd at Entrada’s ceremony also were very lively in support of their loved ones who walked in the ceremony.  President Shill also thanked Dimond, a founding CSD administrator, for his work throughout the years.  She hopes the community will enjoy the summer months.