Interim Business Administrator Appointed
The Board unanimously voted to appoint Leon Wilcox, Canyons District’s Director of Accounting since 2009, as Canyons’ Interim Business Administrator. Wilcox is a seasoned professional with 20 years of governmental accounting experience, with an emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing. As Canyons District’ Director of Accounting from 2009-2013, Wilcox was intricately involved with the 2009 division of $1.5 billion in assets of the former Jordan School District, and was responsible for establishing Canyons’ original and subsequent budgets. Wilcox, a certified public accountant who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Utah State University, also has worked nine years in the Granite School District and six years in the State Auditor’s Office.
Board members lauded Wilcox’s management of the District’s daily financial transactions of Canyons School District, and praised his leadership in securing AAA bond ratings from Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service within the past week.
“We’re very confident in the job that you’re doing,” Board Member Kim Horiuchi said.
Wilcox replaces CFO and General Counsel Keith Bradford, who is a management consultant for the District.
Superintendent Search Update
The Board of Education discussed the search for a new superintendent of Canyons District. Board members have chosen Rickie McCandless to head the search. She was the successful candidate after an extensive RFP process. Board President Sherril H. Taylor urged Board members to refrain from taking input about the search in formal or informal settings. He urged the Board to refer members of the public to the process that is being designed by the consultant.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 2A.
Board Bylaws Inch Forward
The Board is moving forward in its work to draft Board bylaws. The proposal will be forwarded to attorneys to ensure that they are in compliance with state law, and drafted and presented to the Board at a later date for discussion. Board Member Kim Horiuchi said the Board needs to determine whether the document should enforceable or aspirational, and said she preferred accountability measures crafted by a committee of Board members last year. Additional Board Member questions included rules for how an item can be placed on the agenda. Second Vice President Nancy Tingey and Board Member Chad Iverson, who have been working to draft the bylaws, said they would use the input in subsequent drafts.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 2B.
Support Staff Benefit Eligibility Policy Approved
The board approved the benefit eligibility policy for education support staff, which protects current employee benefits with a grandfather clause, Human Resources Director Steve Dimond said. The policy was crafted in collaboration with the Canyons Education Support Professionals Association. Under the policy, employees working 30-35 hours per week will see a reduction in premium contribution rates, and employees working 17 hours per week could be offered additional work hours to increase their potential earning without a budgetary increase. The move brings the policy into compliance with federal law and allows the District to avoid financial penalties associated with the Affordable Care Act. The policy is effective Oct. 1, 2013.
To listen to the discussion or view the policy, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 6A.
Board Action
The Board approved the Sept. 3 Minutes; Purchasing Bids; Board Hire and Termination Reports; August Financial Reports; Home School Affidavit; Reporting Student Safety Policy; and the Memo of Understanding. The Board approved Student Overnight Travel for Alta Softball; Corner Canyon ASL, Band/Orchestra/Choir, Cross Country, Dance Company and Wrestling; and Hillcrest Cheer/Song Squad.
To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 5.
Salute to Volunteers
The Board hosted a reception and recognitions event to thank Canyons’ 12,000 volunteers for their generous contributions to the Canyons District Community. Canyons’ Volunteer Appreciation Week is Sept. 16-20. Last school year, 12,000 volunteers signed up to help in schools, including by building scenery for high school musicals, selling concessions, and helping children learn to read. The volunteers include parents, neighbors, businesses and community agencies.
The recognitions included a volunteer report from Canyons Volunteer Coordinator Laura Minson, who noted volunteers provided $4.6 million worth of donated time to benefit children in the District last school year. The Region 17 PTA also presented the Board with a $3.1 million check, representing the cash value of volunteer hours provided by members of Canyons’ largest parent volunteer organization.
Closed Session
The Board met in Closed Session for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual and collective bargaining.
