Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via Diligent by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.
Strategic Plan
Student Wellness Services Director Dr. Brian McGill said there has been a 60 percent drop in Safe Schools Act violations in Canyons school over the period of a year. Reasons for such a significant decrease, he said, may include additional de-escalation training, the implementation of Thrive Time, the state cell phone restrictions, and the addition of Program Administrator Nicole Svee-Magann, who was a veteran school administrator before joining McGill’s department, to serve as a mentor on student behavior issues. Other factors played a part, as well, he said. Dr. McGill presented the information related to the “Human-Centered Supports” focus area of the Strategic Plan during the Study Session. As part of the emphasis on employee wellness, he said, CSD increase paternity/maternity leave and expanded child-care offering and increased the ability of an employee to use personal days from five to eight. The District in January also will switch to Magellan Health as the Employee Assistance Program. McGill said Magellan’s services will include preventative health, mental health, and wellness coaching. To boost student and employee attendance, CSD’s School Nursing Services have expanded telehealth services so students don’t need to leave campus for a doctor’s visit. McGill also noted that a Youth Academy program at the District Office for students who have been accused of Safe School Act violations. The location ensures safer environments at schools.
Academic Calendar
Human Resources Director Steve Dimond, the chairman of the District’s Calendar Committee, presented for consideration a final academic-year calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. The Board also reviewed proposed and tentative calendars for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school years. The Board and Administration discussed how professional development days, which have been built in the schedule, will be spent by teachers and administrators. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the Canyons Board of Education authorized four instructional days to be designed for PD and teacher preparation, pursuant to state law. This reflects an increase from the two days previously authorized. The decision was made to increase professional development to four hours directed by the principal, two hours of grade level or content team collaboration, 1.5 hours of teacher planning time, and 30 minutes of lunch for all four days. The PD emphasis was the result of a request by principals and teachers for more training, specifically about student behavior, attendance, low academic performance, failure rates, and drop-out prevention. The planned PD also targeted the 30 percent of our teachers who are in the first, second and third years of their careers. Another 30 percent of CSD teachers, Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins said, are in the fourth- through seventh years of their teaching careers. Dr. Robins proposed to allow principals to offer “up to four hours,” rather than expecting a full four hours in the morning. This gives principals flexibility to offer more time for teacher-directed planning on the PD days when students do not attend classes. Then, second half of the PD Day would be spent how the grade-level team decides, Dr. Robins said.
Long-Range Planning Recommendation
Business Administrator Leon Wilcox reported on the participation in public hearings for the recommendations of the Long-Range Planning Committee. The recommendations include the consolidation of the Bella Vista and Ridgecrest school communities, as well as the Park Lane and Granite communities. The Board has been taking public input on those proposals, among other proposed boundary changes, since September. The Board will continue to take input until December. Some 225 people attended the hearing at Bella Vista. Thirty-six provided their input. At the Granite Elementary hearing, 370 people attended and 52 signed up to speak. Some 585 comments or questions were submitted via the QR code or through the website portal.
Patron Comment
The following patrons addressed the Board during Patron Comment. Recordings of the remarks can be accessed on BoardDocs:
- Adriana Vasquez
- Jared Herbert
- Talmage Reid
- Sarah Hamel
- Emily Hansen
- Juliette Palmer
- JR McKee
- Emilie Wright
- Monica Calmes
- Ian Buchanan
- Morgan Hekking
- Taylor Hekking
- Jessica Smith
- Peter Archambault
- Taylor Bernow
- Dallin Sudbury
- Ashley Brown
- Julie Greenfield
- Gianni Lucero
- Charles Surner
- Tucker Zahlmann
- Kody Kemp
- Teagen Kemp
- Sarah Zahlmann
- Brock Smith
- Jason Maldenado
- Lara Tanja Miller
- Robyn Grass
- Laura Anderson
- Julie Sorensen
- Jeff Frisehknecht
- Tristyn Farrington
Policy Update
The Board is considering updates to policies governing employee conduct and professionalism, criminal background checks, employee health and information, hiring personnel, substitute staff employment, network acceptable use, professional development conferences, jury duty, the salary supplement for highly needed educators, and immunization for students.
Consent Agenda
The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes of the Oct. 7, 2025 meeting of the Canyons Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; September’s financial reports; LAND Trust and TSSP Amendments for Midvale Middle, Draper Park Middle and Granite Elementary.
Student Advisory Council
The Board of Education has empaneled a Student Advisory Council, a group of 24 high school students who provide input to the Board of Education on policies and proposals. High Schools Director Dr. Tom Sherwood introduced a member of the council to the Board. The council includes students from all Canyons high schools, including Entrada Adult High School. Students who serve on the council are given a chance to voice their perspectives and participate in the governance of the District.
School Highlights
Achievement levels of Mountaineer multi-language learners are on the rise, according to Mount Jordan Middle Principal Ryan Durant. In a school-highlight presentation to the Board, Durrant said Mount Jordan students are involved in enrichment activities as well as academic opportunities. He also noted the commitment of faculty and staff to Mount Jordan’s success, and the faculty is working to keep AVID at the forefront of the culture. Durant said the teachers and support staff come to work every day committed to creating an environment where students can progress.
Canyons Strong Employee Recognitions
The following were recognized for their achievements:
- Canyons District Risk Managers Ryan Jakeman and Bob Martin for their responsiveness during crises and emergency protocols. This week is Safe Schools Week.
- All CSD principals for National Principal Appreciation Month.
- Winners of the 16th annual Apex Awards. They include:
Teacher of the Year: Midvale Elementary’sLucia de la Cruz Rodriguez; District Administrators of the Year: Assistant Accounting Director Shana Lowe and Associate Director of Communications Kirsten Stewart; Student Support Services Professional of the Year: Canyons Education Foundation Development Officer Denise Haycock; Education Support Professionals of the Year: East Midvale head secretary Charlotte Graham and Corner Canyon head secretary Kathy Hilton; Community Partner of the Year: Jordan High benefactor Dan C. Jorgensen; Elected Official of the Year: Draper Mayor Troy K. Walker; Volunteer of the Year: Eastmont’s Treven Cole, Legacy Award: Nancy Tingey.
- Transportation’s Karl Banks and Troy Shipley, the Shop Foreman and Shop Lead, respectively. They have been instrumental in making CSD’s fleet safety and more reliable.
- Bus driver Jeff Diehl, who was nominated for a Canyons Strong honor by a Silver Mesa administrator. The administrator watched him treat students on the bus with kindness, respect, and positivity.
- ISD’s Emma Moss, who was a finalist in the Women Tech Council’s Women Tech Awards.
Staff Reports
Superintendent Dr. Robins thanked those who participated in Patron Comment. He wished the community a safe and relaxing Fall Recess.
In response to the Beetdigger baseball boosters who spoke during Patron Comment Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said CSD plans to upgrade Jordan High’s baseball complex over a two-year period. He updated the Board on the 94.9 percent completion rate of the health insurance Open Enrollment window and the implementation of Qmlativ, a new computer system for finance, student, and employee records.
Board Member Reports
Ms. Holly Neibaur noted the input of the Jordan High baseball players and boosters. She commented on the input received, especially from students, during the public-input process on the recommendations from the Long-Range Planning Committee.
Mr. Jackson Lewis congratulated the winners of the 16th annual Apex Awards, including East Midvale head secretary Charlotte Graham, who has worked at the school for 47 years. He thanked all the winners for their contributions to Canyons District.
Mr. Andrew Edtl commented on the plans to upgrade Jordan High’s baseball complex.
Ms. Katie Dahle congratulated Development Officer Denise Haycock and Dan Jorgensen for winning Apex Awards. She plans to attend the CSD Fun(d) Bus — an event during which the Canyons Education Foundation criss-crosses the District in a school bus to award $80,000 in Innovation Grants will be delivered soon to teachers.
Ms. Karen Pedersen thanked the Transportation Department’s Karl Banks and Troy Shipley for making CSD’s fleet safer. She noted the Apex Awards and the upcoming theater productions.
President Shill voiced support for the Beetdigger baseball complex upgrades. She noted the exciting renovation projects at Jordan High, expressed appreciation for those who participate in Patron Comment, and thanked principals for their commitment to educational excellence.
