Board Salutes Volunteers

The Board paid tribute to Canyons’ 10,000 volunteers who contributed more than 218,000 hours — worth some $4.8 million — in service to Canyons students, schools and communities. About 200 volunteers gathered for a Board reception, followed by formal recognitions, which included a PTA “check” issued to the Board for service of its members and formal recognitions for the Board’s Apex Award winner for Volunteer of the Year, Midvale Elementary’s Suzanne Walker. The recognitions come amid Canyons’ premier Volunteer Appreciation Week.

Board Studies Proposals for Student Board, District Audit Committee

The Board discussed a proposal for a non-voting student Board member or council to provide recommendations to the Board on issues affecting students, and directed the Administration to explore various options. The proposal came from Alta junior Katrina Jones. The Board also discussed a proposal to create a District Audit Committee to continually help foster best practices. To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Items 2C and 2D.

Board Action

The Board approved the Grade Reconfiguration Staffing Report. To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Items 2A and 10A.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included the Aug. 21 minutes; August Financial Reports and Hires and Terminations; Home School Affidavit; the Middle School Schedule for 2013-2014; Purchasing Bids; and Policy Revisions. The Board also approved student overnight travel for Alta AP Government/History and Theatre; Brighton Boys Basketball, Cross Country, Drill Team and Swimming; CTE DECA and FBLA; Hillcrest Debate and Performing Arts; and Jordan Academic Decathlon, American Sign Language, Choir/Orchestra/Band, and Drill. The Board approved the following middle schools to host Dual Immersion programs: Chinese: Crescent View, Indian Hills, and Butler; French: Butler and Crescent View; and Spanish: Albion, Midvale, and Mount Jordan. Those middle schools are feeder schools for the elementaries that host the corresponding elementary Dual Immersion magnet programs. To listen to discussion on Consent Agenda items, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Items 8A – 8I.

The Board tabled a proposed Code of Conduct policy, drafted by a committee of Board members, following disagreement over some of the language. To listen to the discussion, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 2B.

The Board received a report on the reading instructional materials used in elementary schools to help students better prepare for college and career. The Reading Street materials meet the new state standards, dovetail with many current practices, and include ongoing professional development and coaching from the District and achievement coaches. For more information, please visit BoardDocs and click Agenda Item 10B.

Patron Comments

The Board heard comments from nine patrons. Five opposed the placement of tennis courts and play fields adjacent to Butler Middle School. One had concerns about foreign language instruction under the new middle school schedule. Two agreed the Board should table the proposed Board code of conduct policy due to concerns with some of the wording. One invited the Board to attend the PTA’s Meet the Candidates Night Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Jordan High School. To listen to the comments, please visit BoardDocs and click on Agenda Item 7.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent David Doty thanked the volunteers and PTA members who attended the Board reception and recognitions and the PTA presidents’ luncheon on Friday. He attended the Canyons Education Foundation’s 3rd annual Golf Tournament fundraiser at Wasatch Mountain State Park. He thanked Board Member Mont Millerberg for his support of and preliminary work to create the Foundation. He said preliminary numbers indicated the tournament raised upward of $80,000. He noted the Utah High School Cycling League has premiered as a club sport and involves students from all Canyons high schools, who performed well in the inaugural competition. He attended the Face to Faith Demonstration between Brighton students and those in the Philippines as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Back-to-School Bus Tour.

Board Reports

Steve Wrigley requested an update and discussion on the Crescent View Middle School rebuilding project.

Mont Millerberg noted the beautiful weather and fall scenery at the Foundation’s golf tournament, and said that if the event raised $80,000, that would be double the first year’s revenues. He complimented Chief Development Officer Allison Spencer, the Foundation Board, and the staff who worked hard to make the event a success. He noted Hillcrest High School was hosting a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on the renovated stadium at 6 p.m. Friday.

Paul McCarty thanked volunteers for their priceless contributions to Canyons.

Kevin Cromar attended the Face to Faith Demonstration for the U.S. Department of Education’s Back-to-School Bus Tour. He noted the District was the first in the state and one of the first in the country to implement the program of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, and said the Superintendent deserved a lot of credit for his work to bring the program to Canyons. He also highlighted volunteers at Brookwood Elementary. He noted Quail Hollow Elementary was named a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. He recognized Brighton alumnus Creed Mangrum for his excellence on the baseball team at MIT.

Kim Horiuchi attended the Face to Faith Demonstration for the U.S. Department of Education’s Back-to-School Bus Tour, and was impressed by participants’ willingness to share their beliefs with others. She said she enjoyed honoring community members at the Apex Awards, particularly Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, recipient of the Legacy Award, and thanked the staff for their work to make the event possible. She praised the smooth start of the school year, and attended the Red Carpet Event at Butler Elementary School, and said it was thrilling to see the children’s eagerness to return to school. She said it was unfortunate some candidates and their supporters turned the proposed code of conduct, which she called an issue of character, into a political issue. She said she is glad the Board tabled the proposal for further review and thanked Board Vice President Sherril Taylor and Board Member Dr. McCarty for their hard work in drafting the document.

Vice President Taylor thanked the audience for attending Board meeting and staying to hear all of the discussion.

Closed Session

The Board met in Closed Session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; pending or reasonably imminent litigation; collective bargaining; and the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property.