Board Names New School Corner Canyons High; Students to Vote on Mascot, Colors

The Board of Education voted 6-1 to name the new high school Corner Canyon High School.

The name was selected from a list forwarded to the Board by a community committee. The committee had reviewed more than 1,000 public submissions taken between Oct. 6 and Nov. 8, and presented to the Board five potential names, reflective of geography, history and dignity and high achievement: Corner Canyon; Draper; Draper Hills; Majestic Peaks; and Sivogah, a Native American word for “willow” and the area now called Draper.

The Board’s discussion centered on Corner Canyon High, Draper High and John Park High, the namesake of Utah’s pioneer of public and higher education.

The Board would like Corner Canyon High’s future students to vote on the school’s colors and mascot. The choices, based on committee recommendations, are: navy silver and white; gold, navy and white; and navy, crimson and silver. The mascot choices are: Mountain Lions; Diamondbacks; Falcons; Raptors; Broncos; Bears; Cougars, Cavaliers and Chargers.

Ballots will be mailed by week’s end to students living in the new boundaries; students will be asked to mark their choices and return the ballots to their current schools’ front office by 3 p.m. Dec. 16. The new high school will open in fall 2013.

Air Conditioning Update

The Board heard an update and proposal to install cooling units at eight schools that have no air conditioning (Alta View, Edgemont, Midvalley, and Peruvian Park elementaries; and Midvale, Mount Jordan, Crescent View, Indian Hills and Union middle schools; Alta View, Midvale and Mount Jordan are to receive upgrades with money from the $250 million bond). Options include putting swamp coolers in the corridors or in classrooms; costs would range from $90,000 to $972,000, and total $2.95 million in capital and $260,000 in annual operating costs. The Board also discussed investing in central air conditioning in middle schools that could be reused when buildings are remodeled. The installation of central air could cost between $2 million and $3 million per school, depending on the building. Some Board members noted that cooling units are investments in learning-conducive environments, and were interested in learning more about logistics for installing central air conditioning at Crescent View, Indian Hills and Union middle schools. The Board will further discuss the matter in an upcoming meeting. To view the proposal and hear the discussion, click here and select Agenda Item 1E.

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Presented

Ray Bartholomew of Squire & Company presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. He said he found no reportable deficiencies. President Tracy Scott Cowdell thanked Bartholomew for his hard work, and Canyons Chief Financial Officer Keith Bradford and Canyons Accounting Director Leon Wilcox for their discipline in budgeting. Dr. Doty noted the annual financial report has won national recognition. To view the report or hear the presentation, click here and select Agenda Item 1D.

Board Action

The Board approved the Option 1 calendar for the 2012-2013 school year. The first day of school will be Aug. 27 and the last day, June 7.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the Nov. 15 minutes, purchasing bids, the home school affidavit report, and policies regarding the Student Education Plan/Student Education Occupation Plan, Service Animals in Schools, Parent Involvement in Education, and Employee-Student Conduct and Reporting of Sexual Abuse. It also approved overnight travel for Brighton Model UN and Alta Cheer, Debate, and Drill.

Update: New Curriculum Adoption Policy Committee

The New Curriculum Adoption Policy Committee, comprised of District Office staff, principals, teachers and Canyons Education Association members, has met to suggest ways to update Canyons curriculum policies. The aim is to streamline use of educational materials districtwide, ensure materials and curriculum adoption procedures align with the new Common Core State Standards, and ultimately, create a searchable database to help teachers. Proposed policy changes are expected to come before the Board in January for final action.

Grade Reconfiguration Update

A 25-member task force of employees and District leaders has been working to identify and recommend solutions to employment, endorsement and licensure issues related to grade reconfiguration, approved by the Board in February 2010. The Board heard the timeline to put into place staffing for the new grade structure and approved policy variances to ensure an efficient process. Grade reconfiguration is to be implemented in the 2013-2014 school year. To listen to the discussion, click here and select Agenda Item 8B.

Midvale Interlocal Agreement Update

The Board heard a proposal for an interlocal agreement with Midvale City to create a park on the current Midvale Elementary campus after the school moves to the new building next fall. Board Members praised the proposal as good for the community. The proposal will come to the Board for final action in a future meeting.

Board Presented with $196,000 ‘Check’

The Board was presented with a giant $196,000 check to represent District savings on telecommunications due to its participation in the E-Rate Program. District Information Technology Director Scot McCombs said District savings continue to grow.

Board Recognitions

The Board recognized:

Natalie Hancock, recipient of the New CTE Teacher Award from the Utah Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, a division of the Utah Association of Career & Technical Education

Michelle Van Dyken, Canyons Transitions Academy, recipient of a 2011 Arch Coal Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award at the Utah Education Association’s annual Superstars in Education banquet

Ruth Barrett, Midvale Elementary, Utah Outstanding Paraeducator

Park Lane Elementary, 2010-2011 President’s Challenge State Champion

East Midvale Elementary, December 2011 Utah Gold Medal School of the Month, Utah Department of Health

Alta High Girls Soccer, 5A State Champions

Alta High Girls Tennis, 5A State Champions

Patron Comments

Two patrons asked that Altara students attend Indian Hills Middle School instead of Eastmont Middle School in the boundary proposal the Board is considering; one patron from Pepperwood thanked the Board for taking more time to consider proposed middle school boundaries; one patron from Pepperwood thanked the Board for considering enrollment information she submitted on proposed middle school boundaries; one patron noted little difference in costs in one of the air-conditioning proposals; one patron thanked the Board for considering enrollment data before determining middle school boundaries. President Cowdell noted that the Board wants to make sure it takes time to weigh the public comment on middle school boundaries to make an informed decision.

Board Reports

Kevin Cromar attended Hillcrest High’s production of “Aida,” which included 250 students, and praised director Paul Winkelman. He attended the unveiling of the Native American mural at Jordan High, and was honored to sit next to a representative of the Goshute Tribe. He attended a meeting of the Utah School Boards Association’s Legislative Committee meeting and the Brighton Area SCC meeting; he wants to make sure the District is checking for radon gases in light of a news article in today’s Deseret News. He attended a funeral where a wonderful eulogy was given by a Hillcrest special education teacher Joann Plant. He noted the deaths of Shannon Cloward, who worked at Jordan Valley School, and Julie Overholt, who taught at Quail Hollow Elementary. He noted a Los Angeles Times story that drug policies in schools can so strict that they harshly punish students for minor infractions.

Mont Millerberg said Hillcrest’s production of “Aida” is the best musical he’s seen at Hillcrest in the past 18 years. He said Active Shooter Training will be held in mid-June at Alta High School.

Steve Wrigley attended three of four high schools’ musicals, and was impressed by the Alta production of “Crazy For You.” He praised Sterling Scholars named in district schools; Dr. Doty noted schools recognize school-level Sterling Scholars, and the Board honors Sterling Scholar state finalists and winners.

President Cowdell said his daughter won an award at Mount Jordan Middle School. He praised the behavior of students at the event as the best he’s ever seen, and commended the Mount Jordan Administration for making behavior a priority. He also expressed concern that the Board doesn’t always stand unified on big decisions, and encouraged the Board to work harder to come to consensus in the future. He also noted he is happy with Bradford and Wilcox for their work in the budgeting process, especially in difficult financial times. He said he is pleased with the progress being made on the bond building projects. He wished Board members a happy holidays.

Vice President Sherril Taylor said he feels it is wise for the Board to carefully weigh public input on the middle school boundaries.