Note: Recordings and documents for agenda items can be accessed via BoardDocs by clicking on the corresponding agenda items.

Long-Range Planning Committee Update

An expected influx of up to 225 children to the Midvale area by 2025, prompted by the development of Jordan Bluffs, has been a focus of study by the Board of Education’s Long-Range Planning Committee. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox presented two options to potentially balance the enrollments at Midvale-area elementary schools. Two of the four schools, Midvale and East Midvale, are at more than 90 percent capacity. The two other schools, Copperview and Midvalley, are at 69 and 54.7 percent capacity, respectively. A recommended option is expected to be presented at the Nov. 10 meeting of the Board of Education. If a plan is approved, the District would follow any laws governing public notification of a possible boundary change.

Online Learning Update

An online-learning update to the Board of Education included a proposal to launch a District Steering Committee. The group, to be made up of administrators, principals and teachers, would help build and support a community of online learners in CSD. The Administration also seeks the addition of a secondary-school online leadership team, a formalization of secondary IPLCs, a refinement of coaching supports, and a clarification of Student Support Team processes. Instructional Supports Department Administrator Jesse Hennefer presented information about student and teacher expectations for virtual learning, be it when a student is on quarantine, is engaged in all-virtual learning, when a school is on a split or hybrid schedule, or when the entire school pivots to all-online-learning because of an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The District also is moving forward with a proposal to create an online learning center, led by an administrator and supported by staff, to support online learners. If current plans are realized, the center would have a Canvas Help Desk Technicians, an Online Support Assistance, outreach assistances, and success coaches. The District plans to start work on this center immediately.

Utah College Application Week

Following tradition, Canyons Education Foundation is dedicating up to $10,000 to help pay college-application fees for students who are participating in Utah College Application Week. During the annual event, every Canyons high school senior is encouraged to complete and submit at least one viable college application.  Foundation Board President Landon Bradfield and Development Officer Denise Haycock presented a display check to the Board of Education. 

School Calendars

The Board of Education reviewed the school-year calendar for the 2021-2022 school year and the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. The Board also updated language in policy to indicate that the Board may determine an alternative option, such as a Digital Learning Day, Presidents’ Day, or an Independent Learning Day, for instructional time lost due to an emergency school closure. Currently, District policy states that school emergency-closure days will be made up first on Presidents’ Day, and the Board reserves the right to meet to determine a secondary date.  

Utah School Boards Association October Challenge

The Board of Education discussed reading chapters from the book “Digital Leadership” by Eric Sheninger. 

Consent Agenda 

The Board of Education approved the items in the Consent Agenda, including the minutes from the Oct. 6, 2020 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; September Financial Reports; LEA-specific licenses; the 2020-2021 Utah Grants Application; and an update to 2020-2021 school calendar. 

School Highlights

Union Middle Principal Kelly Tauteoli says it speaks volumes that “acts of kindness” are the among the most-reported incidents by Union students on the SafeUT mobile app, which school communities are encouraged to use to maintain safe and welcoming campuses. Tauteoli said Union Middle is socio-economically and ethnically diverse — but that’s also a large part of its strength. Despite the October 2019 fire that sparked a period of scheduling upheaval and the March “soft closure” of Utah schools for COVID-19, Union Middle reading scores ticked upward, she said. Union also is proud of its Accommodated Core and Extended Core Clusters, as well as its vibrant performing-arts programs. 

Recognitions

The following students, faculty and staff were recognized for their achievements:

• Student theater programs at Corner Canyon and Hillcrest high schools, for winning the Sweepstakes awards in their divisions at the 44th annual High School Shakespeare Competition. Jordan and Alta high students also won awards at the event. 
• Thirty-seven students from all five of CSD’s traditional high schools, for earning Academic All-State Awards for the fall sport season. These honors are presented by the Utah High School Activities Association.
• Brighton High’s Baylee Bruce and Corner Canyon’s Zachary Meyer, for being chosen by U.S. Lacrosse to receive the 2020 Jackie Pitts and Bob Scott awards. This year, 65 honorees nationally were recognized for their efforts on and off the field. Selections are based on voting by coaches within each geographical area. 
• Corner Canyon High’s Caysen Wright, for winning the 2020 individual title holder in 6A boys golf.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Dr. Rick Robins expressed appreciation to Board members for their support of schools, teachers, principals and students. He said all suggestions provided in emails or phone calls, even the ideas that are diametrically opposed, are taken into consideration. Robins also noted that all Canyons schools have returned to a regular schedule because of decreased confirmed COVID-19 cases. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said that, based on Oct. 1 enrollment counts, Canyons’ rolls decreased 700 students, which could prove to be a financial challenge because state funding is largely based on enrollment. While the District does not know for sure, the students may have gone to private or charter schools instead of attending CSD. In addition, he reported that an expected shipment of 2,700 Chromebooks to aid in online learning will arrive in a few days.

Board of Education Member Reports

Mr. Chad Iverson reported on attending band competitions and soccer games and expressed gratitude for the student extracurricular activities. In light of the upcoming U.S. Presidential election, he commented on the principles on which the country was founded.

Mr.  Steve Wrigley also commented on the election, including the proposed Amendment G. 

Mrs. Amanda Oaks reiterated thanks to the Administration for its work on building a plan to strengthen virtual learning, and said she was glad for her children to return to on-campus learning. She noted the importance of voting.

Mr. Mont Millerberg asked for a coding change to the Data Dashboard and lauded the Sweepstakes awards won by Hillcrest and Corner Canyon at the 44th annual Shakespeare Competition. He remarked about the collaborative efforts to improve and streamline virtual learning, based on best practices and the input from families.

For National Principal Appreciation Month, President Tingey noted the hard work and dedication of Canyons District’s principals. 

Board member Amber Shill thanked parents, teachers, and students who contributed to conversations about the operations of schools through emails and phone messages.  She thanked the members of the Board for their dedication and time they spend in their duties as Board members.