Canyons District Offices
Task Force Forwards Building, Enrollment Recommendations
A Facilities and Enrollment Task Force of 54 Canyons District patrons wrapped up a nearly five-month study with recommendations achievement. Recommendations include:
– Creating a Capital Facilities Master Plan standards and ways to addre Quarter of 2010.
– Building new and renovating existing schools districtwide.
– Establishing school feeders that keep students together from elementary through high school.
– Establishing ongoing boundary studies that involve stakeholders.
– Examining the sale of surplus buildings and property, using proceeds for new buildings.
– Bonding to fund new buildings and renovations.
Superintendent David Doty hoped the information would Board President Tracy Cowdell said the recommendations will be financially challenging, but the Board wants to find a way to meet those challenges. The Task Force studied data and examined every facility from the rooftop to the boiler room. It was chaired by Lisa Johnson and Tracy Bennett, and facilitated by retired Davis School District administrator Lynn Trenbeath. See the report at http://www.canyonsdistrict.org/enrollment
force.html#boardreport.
Dan Jones & Associates Presents Survey Results
Dan Jones & Associates conducted a telephone from April 21 to May 14. Mr. Jones highlighted the following:
Fifty-five percent of respondents said they voted to create the new district. Twenty-two percent
opposed it. Ten percent can’t recall how they voted, and 13 percent said they didn’t vote.
Five out of seven (72 percent) have children at the elementary school level, and about half say
they have children at the middle school (52 percent) or high school (47 percent) levels. A small
percentage report having children who attend other types of schools, including: public school
outside Canyons (4 percent), charter school (3 percent), private school (2 percent), and home
school (1 percent).
Regarding the overall quality of education, parents were asked to rate local schools on a scale of 1
to 5, with lower scores indicating dissatisfaction. Private schools, with a 4.23, topped the
rankings. CSD finished second, with a mean score of 3.84.
Parents want a strong emphasis on basics, a rigorous curriculum and small class sizes. Regarding
academic programs, high schools, with a mean score of 3.98, attained the highest ratings, followed
by elementary schools, with a mean of 3.83, and then middle schools, 3.58. Parents place an
emphasis on extracurricular and enrichment activities. Advanced programs are important to CSD
parents. Mr. Jones told the Board parents are concerned about the future of advanced programs in
CSD. Fifteen percent said they have children in ALPS. For middle schools, parents focused on
honors or advanced classes, with a mean score of 4.47. A competitive sports program had a mean
score of 3.69. Middle school programs that mirror high school programs scored a mean of 3.47.
Mr. Jones also recommended the Board take the time to read the unaided responses in Appendix
B. Mr. Jones also told the Board that while the survey didn’t gauge public opinion on a possible
bond proposal, it could serve as an indicator of already-existing support of the District and its
programs. Upcoming votes on bond proposals in other nearby districts would also be an indicator
of whether a Canyons bond proposal could be successful. He also told the Board it would be
watched quite intently by other Wasatch Front districts and communities.
Board Member Ellen Wallace Honored
The Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recognized Board Member Ellen
Wallace’s five years of service. Director Michele Nekota and Chairman Mike Peterson highlighted
Mrs. Wallace’s caring, openness and responsiveness to the community.
Board Action: The Board changed the name of Southpointe adult high school to Entrada, meaning
“Gateway” in Spanish. It also approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the Aug. 12-13 and
Sept. 1 minutes, home school instruction, purchase agreements, financial reports, personnel
appointments, and student travel requests from the following high schools: Alta: AP Art History,
Band, Baseball, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Choir, Softball, and Wrestling; Brighton: Boys’
Basketball, Drill Team, and Swimming; Jordan: ASL and Band/Orchestra/Choir; Canyons
District: DECA, FBLA, and HOSA programs. The Board will continue discussions on raising the
travel cap from 15 trips to 18 trips per school.
Patron Comments: Pat Judkins, the Canyons Education Association representative from East
Sandy Elementary, complimented the Board for keeping educators’ best interests in mind.
Christine Francom thanked the Board on behalf of Oakdale Elementary’s PTA and faculty for
maintaining the Instructional Services Center. Patron Holly Ogden said she appreciates the Board
assembling the Facilities and Enrollment Task Force and hoped for swift action on Task Force
recommendations.
Region 17 PTA Report: Canyons District Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards said
the Utah PTA Road Trip is coming to Eastmont Middle and Midvalley Elementary on Sept. 23.
Associate Director Betty Shaw thanked the District for its support.
Superintendent, CFO Reports: Superintendent Doty is holding faculty meetings at each school
and said a delegation from China is visiting Lone Peak Elementary and Alta High School. CFO and
General Counsel Keith Bradford said he has enjoyed talking with faculty about the Social Security
vote and identity fraud insurance, and will start work with a firm to create a Master Plan as
recommended by the Task Force.
Board Reports: Mrs. Wallace thanked Parks and Recreation for the recognition, urged Board
members to join PTA, and forwarded Bell View Elementary’s thanks for the Cricut. She wants to
examine policies on community notification and field rental fees.
Board Member Kim Horiuchi reported on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting and
the kindergarten college-readiness event at Ridgecrest, and relayed cities’ compliments on
Canyons’ partnership efforts.
Board Member Kevin Cromar recommended the Board read the book “Shop Class as Soulcraft.”
Mr. Cromar also reported on a Utah School Boards Association meeting; the importance of civility;
and Salt Lake Tribune coverage of Alta High during President Obama’s address to students.
President Cowdell praised Canyons’ direction on President Obama’s speech, and noted an
invitation to attend a National School Boards Association event.
Vice President Sherril Taylor reported on the Sprucewood Elementary SCC meeting, and thanked
Facilities Director Rick Conger for his work to prepare schools for the first day of classes.
Paul McCarty suggested featuring a Teacher of the Week, perhaps starting with Brighton High
Tennis Coach Natalie Aposhian, who he said wins championships despite facilities needs.
Mont Millerberg praised the USBA Leadership Academy, Canyons’ test performance, the
Copperview kindergarten college-readiness event, and Dr. Doty for distributing information about
Constitution Day.
