Bond Public Hearing
Canyons voters will go to the polls June 22 to determine a $250 million, tax-rate-neutral bond proposal to modernize Canyons facilities, maximize building use and tax dollars, and invest in the future and academic innovations. Proposed projects would include rebuilding and renovating Butler, Midvale, and Sandy elementaries, as well as Albion, Butler, Crescent View, Indian Hills, Midvale and Mount Jordan middle schools; building a new high school in Draper; preparing Brighton and Hillcrest high schools to accommodate ninth-graders under the Board’s academic and grade-realignment plan; and refurbishing an elementary school in the White City area. The District has nearly $650 million in renovation needs, according to an MHTN Architects’ report. The bond would not require a tax rate increase. Canyons would keep steady the tax rate needed to repay the old Jordan District debt. As payments from the old Jordan District’s 2003 bond start to drop off, Canyons District’s new bond payments would ramp up.
In the public hearing, the bond received support from the Canyons Education Association Executive Board; the Region 17 PTA Board; Sandy City Mayor Dolan; Steve Hopkins, president of Beckstrand & Associates; Kim Steenblik of the Bella Vista Elementary School Community Council, and Amber Shill of the Butler Middle School Community Council. A few parents said they support the bond, and wondered whether Butler Middle School would be rebuilt on site or on adjacent green space, or whether students would be bused elsewhere during construction; another wondered whether a reconstructed Midvale Middle School would have a swimming pool. Two patrons questioned why Peruvian Park and Midvalley elementaries, which have several needs, are not on the project list. One resident was concerned the project list lacked specificity, and another did not like grade reconfiguration or Draper area high school plans. Two patrons were concerned about the process, stating that the election should be held in November instead of June, and a Wasatch County resident urged Canyons taxpayers to read a state audit regarding the lack of state oversight of school construction.
Student, Community Achievement Spotlighted
The Board recognized Utah State Geography Bee winner Anthony Cheng, a sixth-grader at Peruvian Park Elementary, who goes to the National Geography Bee in Washington, D.C. May 25-26, and his teacher, Marti Davis. It also spotlighted High School Art Show winners Rebecca Simmons, Hillcrest High, “Seaweed Avant I”; Felicity Nielson, Hillcrest High, “Madame Raine”; Sarah Wofman, Alta High, “On His Way From Humanity”; Denae Blosser, Jordan High, untitled metamorphosis piece; and Alexandria Varas, Alta High, “Sweet September.” Also spotlighted were Intel International Science and Engineering Fair finalists Ellie Vawdrey (Environmental Science), Ryan Baker (Earth and Planetary Science), and Albert Cui (Engineering) all of Hillcrest High School.
Steve Carpenter, executive director of the Utah Recreation and Parks Association, presented the 2010 Outstanding Program Award to former Butler Elementary School principal Edy McGee and Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center Director Mike Peterson for their “FitKids” program.
Policies Updated
The Board approved revisions to the Canyons’ Hazing and Bullying policy and Support Staff Development Committee policy.
New Administrators Introduced
Superintendent David Doty introduced Midvale Elementary Principal Shad DeMill, a former Midvale Elementary teacher and Jordan District school administrator; incoming Albion Middle School Principal Joanne Ackerman, a longtime Jordan District employee and the 2009 Utah Middle School Principal of the Year; and Oakdale Elementary Principal Alice C. Meridith, former Assistant Principal of Highland Village Elementary in Lewisville, Texas.
Board Action: The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes: April 20 minutes; purchasing bids; UBSCT appeals; Crescent View Middle School’s Revised LAND Trust Plan; home-school applications; FY11 Perkins Local Plan; and administrative reassignments. The Board also approved student overnight travel for Alta High Boys and Girls Soccer and Football; Brighton High Cheerleaders; Hillcrest High Drill Team and Student Government; CTE CTSO Leadership Training, HOSA, and Skills USA. The Board met in closed session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual and collective bargaining. Information items on LAND Trust Plans and the Canyons Student Achievement plan were postponed to the next board meeting.
Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Doty noted bond information presentations 60 to 70 will be given before Election Day are going well. He also noted the WestEd community forum on Pathways to College would be held on Wednesday, May 5, and encouraged Board members to mark their calendars for the May 18 Retirees Banquet. He reported on the success of the May 1 Canyons District night at the Real Salt Lake game, where teachers, employees and a volunteer of the year were honored.
CFO Report: CFO and General Counsel Keith Bradford noted tonight’s bond information presentation is the 31st the District has given in the past week and a half, generally receiving positive feedback. While there are other building needs districtwide, not all could be addressed immediately due to limited resources. The District will try to address as many as possible with ongoing capital funds.
Board Reports: Ellen Wallace attended the May 1 Canyons District Night at the Real Salt Lake game. She noted this is the third bond she has been involved in in her school board tenure, and suggested also working with private donors to build schools.
Kim Horiuchi attended arts events at Midvale Middle School.
Tracy Cowdell said he was pleased with support expressed for the bond. He also hoped for a speedy recovery for Sherril Taylor, who underwent surgery this week.
Paul McCarty attended two bond presentations in Draper, and thanked Draper City and communities for their support and positive response to the proposal.
Mont Millerberg said the bond information presentation was well received by the Midvale City Council, and added Mayor Seghini hoped Salt Lake County would make Midvale City Hall an early-voting location. He also was able to spend the past week with newborn grandson.
