Board Summary

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

Dual Language Immersion

Parents have until Friday, Sept. 4 to respond to a survey about issues related to the dual-language immersion program. During the discussion on the agenda item titled “Dual Language Immersion Update,” the Board of Education urged all Canyons families to submit their responses to the three-question survey that was released to the public on Friday, Aug. 2. The survey is part of an effort to gauge public sentiment about a proposed enrollment-based proposal that was created in response to decreasing enrollment levels. Under the newly unveiled proposal, if enrollment numbers do not justify a two-class cohort model in the specialized global-language program, then a one-class model would be implemented.  The Board of Education also encouraged School Community Councils to discuss the proposal and provide feedback. Canyons Superintendent Dr. McKay Robinson presented updated kindergarten enrollment tallies at elementary schools with DLI programs. With the numbers from the 11-day count, three of the schools would, under the proposal, move to a one-cohort model instead of the traditional two-cohort model. Robinson explained that a two-class DLI cohort begins with some 56 immersion students, or 28 students in each class, along with sufficient enrollment to support neighborhood classrooms. Natural attrition over time is accounted for in this proposal. A major reason for the current community conversation about DLI co-horts is because some Canyons schools last year did not have enough incoming first-grade students to maintain a two-class model. For budgetary reasons, they were moved to a one-class cohort. If the new proposal is approved, Canyons would have a standardized enrollment-based rubric that would determine when programs were moved to a one cohort model. According to the proposal, at least 50 students would need to commit by Jan. 15 to enrolling in DLI. In addition, the neighborhood general-education classroom, which CSD is required by law to offer, would need to have at least 19 students. According to the proposal, if DLI enrollment does not meet 50, the school would transition to a one-class cohort of 30. At every step, from the first parent meetings at the outset of the school year to the Sept. 30-Dec. 15 enrollment window and beyond, parents would be able to see most-recent enrollment numbers on the CSD website.  The aim is to reduce questions from parents about the direction of the program as they prepare their children for the school year.  The Board will continue to review and gather input on the proposal.

Administrative Appointment

Grant Taylor, a longtime member of Canyons’ Information Technology Department, has been appointed Director of Technology Supports. In this role, Taylor will oversee the team of Field Technicians who provide day-to-day technology support to CSD’s 48 schools and programs, helping to ensure devices, classroom technology, communication systems, and other tools relied upon by employees and students remain operational and effective. He succeeds Ryan Neff who recently resigned to lead the IT Department for one of Utah’s new school districts. Taylor holds a master’s degree in Information Technology Management and has been CSD’s AVT Team Lead for 12 years, supervising the technicians responsible for troubleshooting and resolving audio-visual issues. He has managed the installation and deployment of technology systems in newly rebuilt schools. He also led a $1.2 million initiative to upgrade school intercom systems, improving the reliability and effectiveness of a critical communication tool used by schools during daily operations and emergencies. As Director of Technology Supports, he will bring this experience to keeping technology working where it matters most — in CSD classrooms and schools. 

Impact of PTA Volunteers 

Volunteers in District’s recognized parent organization logged 72,921 hours of work in the Canyons 2025-2026 school year, according to Ashley Backman, Canyons Region 7 PTA chair. If Canyons would have paid employees to do that work, the cost could have reached $2.6 million. During the Board of Education’s study session, Backman and her leadership team presented a big check to the Board that declared the amount of service hours provided by PTA and PTSAs, which welcome parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents and other family members to join. As part of the presentation, Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards presented information about the total number of volunteers in Canyons schools throughout the year. 

Policy Update

The Board of Education approved an update to policies governing school visitor management protocols. The updates, which are consistent with new state law, require visitors to CSD schools to present valid government ID at the Front Office upon arriving at the school. Valid IDs include a state driver’s license, state identification card, a foreign identification card, tribal identification card, passport, military ID card, Permanent Resident Card, or municipal or local government photo ID. Visitors granted entry by visual verification or who lack identification may be required to be accompanied by designated school personnel while in areas where students are present, per state law. Assistant Legal Counselor Jeff Christensen noted the policy addresses the safety issues of knowing who is on campus during school hours. During instructional hours, school campuses and facilities are reserved exclusively for students, staff, and authorized personnel, and closed to the general public-unless a specific agreement with a governmental entity exists.

Strategic Plan

A priority of the High-Quality Learning Committee, one of four groups advancing the four focus areas of the Strategic Plan, includes satisfying the requirements of SB241, which sets a goal for all third-graders to be reading at grade level by 2030. Canyons also is participating in Gov. Cox’s statewide read-a-thon on Oct. 2. Assistant Superintendent Mindy Robison, who chairs of the committee, also presented a timeline for initiatives related to CSD’s Portrait of a Canyons Scholar. This includes a revision of the elementary report card, launch of middle-school citizenship grades based on characteristics in the Portrait, and honor cords for high schoolers. Robison’s presentation also indicated that the committee is focusing on a balanced-technology approach to instruction and bolstering CSD’s Professional Learning Communities.

Patron Comment

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

• Krista Pippin
• Debbie Durtschi
• Katie Wilkinson

School Highlights

Midvalley Elementary Principal Margaret Swanicke said the home of the Jr. Huskies is a place where students, parents, and employees are welcomed and valued. It’s a practice of the faculty to stand in the hallways outside their classroom doors to greet students as they arrive for the day, she said. Midvalley students are rewarded with such fun activities as extra recess and karaoke, she said. They also are provided high-quality learning opportunities that inspire them to be engaged and ready to learn throughout the school day.  At Midvalley, a member of the administrative team attends PLCs, meets weekly with teams, and holds end-of-year meetings with all employees to get feedback on the operations of the school. Midvalley, which hosts free English classes for adults, also enjoys strong community and PTA support for students and teachers.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes from the Aug. 18, 2026 meeting; hire and termination reports; and purchasing bids, including a contract to continue the districtwide usage of ParentSquare as the school-to-home communication platform. The Board also approved the IT administrative appointment as part of Consent.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following and events were featured:

• CSD’s Early Childhood Department for the smooth start to preschool classes. 
• Canyons elementary schools for their “I Will Be Ready!” activities to promote college, career, and military service with kindergartners.
• The swearing-in ceremony for CSD’s Peer Court
• Entrada’s red-carpet welcome for adult learners.
• The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Corner Canyon High’s new Fieldhouse.
• The plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Jordan High’s new Fieldhouse and Black Box Theater. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Robinson expressed condolences to the Canyons families who have experienced tragedies in recent weeks. Dr. Robinson thanked police agencies, as well as CSD’s Student Wellness Services Department, for the supports they have provided to communities in the wake of the tragedies. He reported on attending the annual start-of-the-year luncheons with PTA leaders and SCC members, the Ron McBride Foundation grant announcements, and the swearing-in ceremony for Sandy Police Chief Jeff Nigbur. Dr. Robinson also noted the work of the Facilities Department, which has responded to multiple weather-related issues late at night or on weekends. He thanked the association for Education Support Professionals for providing valuable input on the new visitor-management policy. 

Mr. Leon Wilcox attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Corner Canyon High. He also thanked CESPA President Richard Moore, the AFM at Draper Park Middle, for suggesting language to a proposed policy that will save employees time when arriving at a school to complete their work assignment.  

Board of Education Reports

Ms. Karen Pederson lauded the volunteers who serve in Canyons schools. Ms. Pedersen also issued a call for substitutes for LifeSkills Academy, CSD’s special education program that helps disabled adults gain skills to live more independent life.  She also attended the red-carpet welcome at Entrada Adult High. 

Ms. Katie Dahle thanked CSD personnel who have been impacted by the adoption of Qmalativ and the work of PTA volunteers.  She noted Dr. Robinson’s luncheons with PTAs and SCCs. She also remarked on the tragedies that have marked the first few weeks of the school year.

Ms. Amanda Oaks reported on the ribbon-cutting at Corner Canyon’s new Fieldhouse — a facility-improvement project that also included upgrades to Charger soccer and baseball and softball fields. Ms. Oaks said she’s excited to see the renovations and improvements, including a new Fieldhouse, at Jordan High. 

Mr. Andrew Edtl enjoys being able to help students, employees and families through his work on the Board. He asked constituents to remain in contact about issues that are important to them.  Mr. Edtl lauded Nutrition Services for providing popular-with-children meal options.

Ms. Holly Neibaur said she appreciated the thorough discussion regarding the DLI proposal. She noted the ribbon-cutting at CCHS and the improvements to the soccer and softball and baseball fields. The Fieldhouse, including the weight room, has been an important addition to CCHS since the school gained occupancy.

President Amber Shill thanked the Canyons Education Association Board for attending Board meeting. She also expressed appreciation for PTA and other volunteers who work hard in CSD schools.  Like Dr. Robinson, she voiced thanks for CSD’s Student Wellness Services Department for providing supports in a crisis.  She also thanked police officers for providing security at Board meeting.  President Shill reminded Board members to sign up for the National School Boards Association conference.