Brookwood’s Monica Rotermund Named 2013 District Teacher of the Year
The Board honor all 45 school teachers of the year in a special Reception and Recognitions Ceremony, where it announced Monica Rotermund of Brookwood Elementary as the 2013 Canyons District Teacher of the Year. Rotermund was noted for exceptional math instruction her sixth-graders score at nearly 100 percent proficient in mathematics testing as well as her professionalism, caring and expertise. She received a $1,000 check from the Canyons School District Education Foundation. The Board also recognized two Teacher of the Year runners up Millie Rogers of Jordan Valley School and Rachel Hardy of Jordan High. Teachers of the Year were nominated by colleagues, parents, school leaders, and students. Each was surprised with the recognition in recent weeks, and received a prize package, including a dinner at La Caille, Real Salt Lake tickets, and a Teacher of the Year banner for the school. All Canyons Teachers of the Year also will be recognized at halftime at the May 4 Real Salt Lake game at Rio Tinto Stadium. Discount tickets are available to the Canyons community.
Superintendent Announces Resignation, Effective June 30
Superintendent David S. Doty has announced that he is stepping down effective June 30, 2013 to lead Education Direction and spend more time with family. Education Direction is a Utah-based education reform firm recognized for improving student outcomes in public school districts and colleges across the country through professional development, actionable research, and strategic consulting. Dr. Doty said he has long desired to work in such a capacity.
Dr. Doty made the surprise announcement at the Canyons Board of Education’s Tuesday, April 16, 2013 meeting. He thanked the Board, and said the District is headed in the right direction and will be in good hands. Board President Sherril Taylor thanked Dr. Doty for his visionary leadership and exceptional service to the children and patrons of Canyons School District. “To take this District from (a startup) to where it is now is nothing short of miraculous. We are thankful for that,” Taylor said. “We thank your family for sharing you with us to get us where we are.”
With the consensus of the Board, Taylor stated unequivocally that the direction of the District, including grade reconfiguration and Canyons’ college- and career-ready academic plan, will continue uninterrupted. “All that we are working on,” he said, “we will bring to fruition.”
Board members expressed their appreciation for Dr. Doty’s service and leadership.
When he accepted the Canyons superintendency, Dr. Doty had pledged to make Canyons a world class school district within 10 years. Board Member Tracy Cowdell, who was Board President during the 2008 Canyons Superintendent Search, recalled that he asked Dr. Doty to fast-track that goal to five years.
“You capitulated and kept that five-year promise, and the results have been nothing short of miraculous,” Cowdell said. “We are really going to miss you … You’ve been the first through the wall on some difficult issues.”
Board Member Robert Green thanked the Superintendent for his service, and noted he was sad to see him leave so soon. He said he has high hopes for the District because of Dr. Doty’s work, and thanked him for his service.
Board Member Chad Iverson said he appreciates Dr. Doty’s efforts to build the District. He said to start up from scratch is amazing, and that Dr. Doty’s focus on career- and college-readiness, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEM and STEAM) have been important.
The Board will meet within the next two weeks to discuss next steps.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 9A.
Standards-Based Elementary Report Card Approved
The Board approved standards-based elementary report card Option 1 to be implemented in fall 2013 in all Canyons elementary schools. The report cards are aimed at giving parents more precise student achievement information and aligning grading systems with the new state curriculum. Board members said they would continue to receive parent input to continuously improve the report cards. The report cards will tell parents whether students have mastered or not yet mastered core-subject standards. The report card stems from educators’ requests and more than two years of study by a committee of teachers from every school, special education experts and education technology specialists. It is being piloted in 92 classrooms in six Canyons elementary schools. Crescent View Middle School also has implemented a standards-based report card.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 8A.
Corner Canyon Enrollment, Permit Input Sought in Town Hall Meeting
The Board unanimously voted to hold a Town Hall meeting about Corner Canyon High School enrollment and permit issues. The meeting will be set up to seek community input on whether to honor the already-approved permits until the students graduate or annually review the space available and determine how many permits can be accepted for that year. Board members Steve Wrigley and Chad Iverson will host the meeting, and invite the families of all 1,800 students enrolled at Corner Canyon next fall.
The Board also received information from Principal Mary Bailey and Canyons Facilities Director Rick Conger about Corner Canyon building capacity and enrolment. Building capacity is 2,271 (if all spaces used). Projected enrollment is 1,875 next fall, 2,019 for fall 2014, and 2,074 for fall 2015. The school is designed to allow additional wings to be built if needed. Portables being moved from other schools due to grade reconfiguration could be dropped onto the property at no additional cost. The school will have sufficient parking spaces, cafeteria space and lockers to accommodate larger enrollments. Class size is determined by a district staffing ratio and is not affected by enrollment. Additional honors and other advanced coursework have been added to the schedule to meet demand.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 8C.
Patron Comments
Thirty-four patrons addressed the Board about Corner Canyon High School enrollment and permit matters. About half the patrons expressed a desire to allow Corner Canyon High students who will attend the school on permit when it opens next fall to remain at the school until they graduate. Others were concerned about overcrowding and loss of important labs and other spaces being converted to classrooms to handle large enrollments.
One patron expressed concerns about the proposed standards-based elementary report card using mastered/not yet mastered scale to communicate student progress to parents.
President Taylor thanked the patrons for their civil and respectful comments.
To listen to the comments, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 6A.
Board Action
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the April 2 Minutes; Purchasing Bids; March Financial Reports; Home School Affidavit; March Hires and Terminations; Policy Repeal Proposal; and a Right of Way Easement at Hillcrest High School. The Board also approved student overnight travel for Alta Football; Brighton Boys Basketball, Drill Team and SBOs; Corner Canyon Boys Basketball; CTE Skills USA and HOSA; and Hillcrest Girls Soccer. The Board tabled the proposed school fees schedule.
Board Reports
Chad Iverson visited Altara Elementary’s third-grade program last week, which he enjoyed. He said he appreciates the Board wanting to hear additional information from the Draper residents about Corner Canyon enrollment and permits. He said he also appreciated the patron comments tonight.
Taylor attended Quail Hollow Elementary’s Blue Ribbon School celebration in Vice President Nancy Tingey’s stead, and praised the students, Principal Denise Orme and her staff.
Tingey thanked Taylor for standing in for her at the Quail Hollow event.
Kim Horiuchi was invited to address the Cottonwood Heights City Council meeting, where she discussed administrative appointments, and local Teacher of the Year honors. She said the council is interested in hosting a luncheon for new area principals and Teachers of the Year. The council offered kudos for Canyons accomplishments. She thanked the city for its partnership and for placing a high value on education. She also drew attention to the District’s Annual Report included in the Board packet, and praised its quality.
Superintendent Report
Dr. Doty visited Hillcrest High last week during a visit by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who is touring schools in his new congressional district. He addressed the Region 17 PTA meeting last week. He attended the National School Boards Association spring convention in San Diego, where he and Face to Faith U.S. Advisor Charles Haynes presented information about the Face to Faith program, implemented at Hillcrest and Brighton high schools. He announced that he had meet with Taylor and would step down as District superintendent June 30 to take an education reform consulting position.
Closed Session
The Board met in Closed Session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual.
