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

Achievement Indicators

The job-satisfaction level of Canyons teachers has increased 14 percent over the past five school years, according to data presented by Dr. Hal Sanderson, Director of Research and Assessment. In an annual presentation about performance indicators and strategic goals, Sanderson noted that 77 percent of Canyons teachers responded affirmatively to the survey question, “All in all, I am satisfied with my job in Canyons School District.” While a decrease of 1 percent from the previous year, it’s a strong departure from the results of the 2021-2022 Educator Satisfaction Survey. That year, when schools and communities were still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, 63 percent of CSD educators said they were satisfied with their employment with CSD. A stakeholder survey also shows a slight decrease in the belief that CSD is providing a high-quality education to the community’s children. The number of parents who agreed with the statement “I am pleased with how this school supports my child’s well-being” stood at 85 percent for the 2025-2026 school year.  Last year, the number was 90 percent. The year before:  82 percent. On the same survey, Dr. when asked their confidence levels in how much their children are learning, 90 percent of CSD parents said they were pleased with their family’s learning levels. A survey of the Class of 2026 showed that 81 percent of seniors were satisfied with the education they received in CSD schools. That number has hovered around 80 percent for the past five years, according to the data presented to the Board of Education during the Study Session. The graduation rate ticked up one percent to land at 89 percent, and CSD is seeing an increase in the graduation rate for Hispanic-Latino students, multi-lingual students, and low-income students. In addition, Dr. Sanderson said, Canyons District students continued the trend of outscoring their peers statewide on the RISE assessments and the ACT, the college-entrance exam. CSD’s efforts to target chronic absenteeism appears to have been working: The percentage of students who have 10 percent or more days absent fell from 37.9 percent in 2022 to 27.9 percent in 2026. The Board also was presented information about rates of voluntarism, the numbers of School Community Council members who completed the annual training, the amount of time patrons spend on the CSD website, and financial audits showing CSD in full compliance. In fact, CSD received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Association of School Business Officials International Meritorious Budget Award. Board initiatives included planning for the Canyons Innovation Center, the implementation of Thrive Time, and extra prep time for elementary teachers, as well as the investment in Teen Centers at high schools.  

Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved two administrative appointments. Alta High Assistant Principal Melissa Lister will soon start working at Brighton High, also as an Assistant Principal. Brighton Assistant Principal April Sagala, who now is working at Brighton, will replace Lister at the home of the Hawks. This will become effective Nov. 16. 

Student Board Member

The Board of Education is considering increasing the participation of teenagers at the Board’s meetings. Director of CSD High Schools Dr. Tom Sherwood said Provo, Davis, and Salt Lake school districts all have a process to appoint students to Board-advisory posts. The Board’s already seats a Student Advisory Council but is interested in finding additional ways to involve the student voice.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were mentioned: 

• Jordan High’s Naval Cadet program, for earning Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps status.
• Inaugural Board of Education President Tracy Scott Cowdell, for receiving the Jordan High Alumni Association’s Harvest Award.
• The Brighton High girls soccer team, for winning the 5A state championship.
• The Corner Canyon girls volleyball team, for winning the 6A state championship.
• The Alta High’s Marching Band, for winning third place overall in their division at the Red Rocks Invitational, which doubles as the state championship competition.
• The Brighton girls cross country team, for winning second-place overall at 5A championship race.  BHS junior Bridget Smit took second place.  Brighton’s Whittaker Bettis took fifth place in the 5A boys race. Alta’s boys team took ninth overall in 5A.
• CSDtv staff for winning a regional Emmy win on Saturday night. The winning entry is an animated short created by Canyons employee Ryan Wilde.
• Brighton and Jordan teams, for winning trophies at the Unified Special Olympics Soccer Championships at America First Field.
• The upcoming Opening Nights of fall musicals at CSD’s five traditional high schools. The times and dates of the shows is on canyonsdistrict.org.
• School Psychologist Appreciation Week was noted in honor of our “school psychs.”
• Also mentioned was the Corner Canyon Charger football team for advancing to the 6A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Chargers are seeking a back-to-back-to-back-to-back 6A state title win.

Patron Comment

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

• Andrew Taylor
• James Martin

Long Range Planning

Considering the number of children in classrooms, all Utah school districts but one have experienced enrollment declines since the 2023-2024 school year. The his includes Canyons, said Business Administrator Leon Wilcox, who presented official enrollment data to the Board as part of a presentation about the work of the CSD Long-Range Planning Committee. CSD has dropped from 32,733 students in 2023-2024 to 30,365 this year, and joins all other Salt Lake Valley districts in seeing enrollment slides. This is in line with the projects made by such think tanks as the Gardner Policy Institute, which issued a projection that the number of Utahns 5 to 17 years old drops significantly until 2035. Enrollment will be a key data point in studies done by MGT, which has been contracted to conduct studies on boundaries and enrollment. This may include surveys, focus groups, and community input meetings.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including minutes for the Oct. 20, 2026 meeting; hire and termination reports; October financial reports; SSP/Land Trust Amendment for Peruvian Park; preschool tuition increase for the 2026-2027 school year; and administrative appointments.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. McKay Robinson noted the Veteran Day activities and assemblies planned throughout Canyons.  He also mentioned that Jordan High School’s Naval Cadet program has officially earned Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) status. Lone Peak’s Cassie Walker also has been recognized by the Utah State Board of Education for her arts-integration work. He commented on sewing and child-development classes he visited at Jordan High, as well as the Oakdale Elementary School Spotlight visit. He congratulated students who competed in fall activities, and wished teams luck in their post-season play.

Mr. Leon Wilcox thanked the Jordan High Naval Cadet Corps for posting the colors at the Board meeting to start CSD’s commemoration of the Nov. 11 Veterans Day. He also thanked CSD personnel who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and congratulated Board members Amber Shill, Amanda Oaks, Andrew Edtl, and Karen Pedersen on winning re-election.  He noted that the retrofitting work at the Canyons Innovation Center is 35 percent complete.

Board of Education Reports

Ms. Karen Pedersen remarked on her 2026 campaign for re-election and visits to schools as part of the School Spotlight effort. As Thanksgiving approaching, she expressed her gratitude for the work being done in Canyons to provide an education to students.

Ms. Katie Dahle also thanked the JROTC for the flag ceremony, remarked on importance of Veterans Day commemorations, congratulated her fellow Board members on re-election, commented on state wins by CSD teams, and promoted the Canyons Innovation Center. She expressed gratitude for all who are part of Team Canyons.

Ms. Amanda Oaks commented on the upcoming Veterans Days activities. She also said she’s grateful to serve on the Board, and gave thanks to the outgoing legislators. Ms. Oaks welcomed the legislator-elects who will represent CSD communities. She thanked the Student Advisory Council and remarked on the morning’s visit to CCHS, the focus of the School Spotlight.  She is amazed at the people in public education who are committed to growth of community’s children.

Mr. Jackson Lewis reported on attending the first-round football playoff game between Hillcrest and Alta high schools. He congratulated the team for finishing with an 8-3 record – the best record in years.   He also welcomed the legislator-elects. The topics he hopes new legislators address include changes to the school-voucher program and the school-guardian program.

Ms. Holly Neibaur congratulated the winners of the 2026 Apex Awards. She remarked on the Willow Springs School Spotlight visit, Halloween Parades, and Corner Canyon’s scheduled appearance in 6A football semifinals. She also congratulated the CCHS volleyball team for repeating as 6A state champions. She reported on the Arts Consortium meeting, and said she’s grateful for her fellow Board members and CSD employees.

President Shill reported on the Oakdale School Spotlight visit, asked High-Quality Learning to discuss a parent’s suggestion to expand recess options, and thanked the Canyons Education Foundation for planning the Fund Bus to distribute Innovation Grants.  She mentioned a Town Hall she will hold with Ms. Dahle on Nov. 19 at Albion Middle from 7 to 8 pm.  She expressed appreciation to be able to return to serve another term on the Board, and wished a Happy Veterans Day to the community, especially Mr. Edtl, a member of the Utah Air National Guard.