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Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011

Options for Career and Technical Education Presented

As the District prepares to design classrooms for the new high school and reconstructed middle schools, Superintendent David Doty proposed examining career and technical education (CTE) to ensure courses adequately prepare students for high-skill, high-wage jobs. Dr. Doty cited research showing two-thirds of the up-and-coming jobs require post-secondary education. He proposed focusing Canyons Technical Education Center offerings in health care, engineering, information technology and business fields. He also presented potential options for newly designed schools. The proposal, which dovetails with the Utah System of Higher Education’s Prosperity 2020 initiative, is part of Canyons’ work to examine all programs to ensure that taxpayer funds are used prudently and that curriculum aligns with the demands of today’s rapidly changing economy. The Board suggested looking into partnerships to provide robust CTE courses and provide curriculum to ensure Canyons students are well rounded. Dozens of students and faculty came to the meeting to hear the information and ask the Board to maintain current programs. The Board in its Feb. 15 Study Session may separately discuss the proposal’s three parts: CTEC; future CTE lab space in terms of new high school and middle school design; and CTE philosophy. It asked for additional CTE data from the administration.

SALTA Public Input Reported

Deputy Superintendent Ginger Rhode and Evidence-Based Learning Directors Hollie Pettersson and Amber Roderick-Landward summarized feedback on potential SALTA options as provided in five community meetings, four faculty meetings, e-mail messages and phone surveys of families whose children attended elementary SALTA programs but didn’t enroll in SALTA in middle school.

Study Session

The Board discussed the USBA conference sessions, including one on legislative issues. It also heard a proposal to create a Summer Academy for teacher professional development, including strategies for implementing the Common Core State Standards. The academy could be funded with federal education jobs stimulus funds. The Board plans to vote on the matter in the next meeting.

Patron Comments

Twenty patrons offered comments to the Board regarding concerns about maintaining current CTE courses and SALTA options. Their testimony can be heard here by clicking on the Feb. 1 agenda, then item 4E. Superintendent Doty commended patrons on their civil and professional feedback, and noted that his CTE presentation represents a starting place for discussion.

Board Action

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included the Jan. 11 and 18 minutes, purchasing bids, and CTE Month declaration. It also approved overnight travel requests for FCCLA and the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program national conference and Space Shuttle launch.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Doty last weekend traveled to Philadelphia with IT leaders Scot McCombs and Darren Draper to present information at the EduCon school reform and education technology conference. He lauded students visiting Canyons from Grenoble, France, and thanked Canyons’ staff and host families for their efforts. He recommends the District no longer block Facebook, which he considers a mass communication tool for the District and educators, and will glean input from school leaders to present to the Board at a future Study Session.

CFO Report

Canyons CFO Keith Bradford said the District is expected to receive the full $5.8 million in federal education jobs stimulus money. The education base budget is expected to be reduced by up to 11 percent, but revenue forecasts are positive and money could be added back into the final budget. He explained early efforts to fund enrollment growth using money schools use for other purposes.

Board Reports

Vice President Sherril Taylor excused President Tracy Scott Cowdell, who was receiving the Outstanding Elected Official Award at Sandy City’s Appreciation Awards Banquet.  He thanked Sandy police officers for providing Board security.

Steve Wrigley attended Jordan High’s concerto night and praised the talent there. He attended the Butler Middle School Town Hall Meeting on the building project, and two SALTA community meetings. He thanked the staff and parents for their attendance and feedback. He visited with the PTA and School Community Council at Oakdale Elementary and served as a substitute crossing guard. He attended an SEOP meeting with his child at Eastmont Middle School, and found it interesting to discuss ACT EXPORE Test data in that context. He also met with the Evidence-Based Learning leaders and received an orientation from them.

Kim Horiuchi thanked patrons for their input, and praised employees working on behalf of Canyons children. She spoke with the French Consulate, who went to Butler Elementary as part of the Grenoble students’ visit to Canyons. The consulate praised Canyons’ dual immersion programs, and hoped Canyons students could attend the Cannes Film Festival next year. She said she is serving as the Canyons representative on the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Board, and asked to show at the next meeting an inspiring video about athletes with disabilities.

Kevin Cromar praised the Butler Middle Town Hall meeting as one of most positive community meetings Canyons has hosted, and thanked Cottonwood Heights City representatives for attending. He went to Albion Middle School’s end-of-quarter assembly and replaced retired Canyons Board Member Ellen Wallace as Canyons’ representative on the Board of Directors of the Utah School Boards Association. He called unfortunate the Legislature’s rule to set a base budget. He said he has received information about the club sports legislation; and has discovered interesting tidbits about Butler Elementary School and an old bond in his historian’s work for Cottonwood Heights City.

Paul McCarty said he is concerned with legislative budget cuts, and feared efforts to place programs helping teachers of English language learners in a block grant could result in a reduction in funding. He suggested a concentrated effort to halt this practice. He thanked patrons for their input and said the Board is listening.

Mont Millerberg thanked patrons for their input tonight, and the openness of the District to take public comment. He discussed the Midvale Elementary School Town Hall meeting about the project to rebuild the school, which drew more than 200 people including city officials, students and teachers, and praised District staff for its work. He reported several patrons at the Town Hall Meeting first feared a decision on a potential K-8 school already had been made. He said others want to keep SALTA at Midvale Middle. He suggested another meeting was needed to discuss the details of the elementary site plan, including transportation issues and ramifications and Boys and Girls Club program access should the school be rebuilt on site and the students need to be relocated during construction. He also thanked the facilities staff for fixing the border around the Board table.

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Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

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