We're Hiring!

resources

Family Connections

Getting Involved

Tools

Resources

Leadership

About

Getting Involved

CSD Superintendent Announces Intention to Retire at End of School Year

Canyons Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe has announced his intention to retire at the end of the school year. 

In a message sent to Canyons District administrators and principals late Monday afternoon, Dr. Briscoe said it’s been “a very difficult decision” to retire from his post as the leader of the 34,000-student District. He has been Superintendent since his appointment in 2014.  

“This afternoon I notified the entire Board of Education of my intent to retire. CSD is moving in the right direction as a result of your leadership,” Dr. Briscoe said in the email.  “I have been humbled and honored to work alongside each of you.”

Dr. Briscoe is the longest-serving superintendent of Canyons District, the first new school district to be created in Utah in nearly a century.  Briscoe succeeded Interim Superintendent Dr. Ginger Rhode, who took over the reins when Canyons’ inaugural Superintendent Dr. David Doty resigned to take a position with a national education reform organization. 

True to form, Briscoe told his Canyons colleagues that he plans to fulfill his roles and responsibilities “110 percent” over the next six months. 

“I have discussed this decision at length with my wife and family,” said Briscoe, who has been an educator for 38 years and a superintendent of schools, both in Utah and Illinois, for 18.  “For the first time in my life, I have butterflies in my stomach for what the future holds. However, it is time for me to find out what life is like outside of serving and working in a school and community.”

Briscoe said he will work with the Board of Education and his eventual successor to ensure a smooth transition.

Board President Nancy Tingey lauded Briscoe for his positive attitude, inclusive leadership style, and no-nonsense approach to finding solutions to challenges in school communities.

“Dr. Briscoe is a one-of-a-kind leader,” she said. “When he leaves us, we will certainly miss his wisdom,  good humor, and unrelenting focus on the achievement of students. For now, though, we will enjoy the time we have left with him and rely on his expertise to guide the District to a strong finish of the school year. He is such an important part of our District’s history, and his work in the past six years has put Canyons on the path to achieve even greater success.”   

Achievements of the District during his tenure as Superintendent include a new teacher compensation package to bring the starting teacher pay to $50,000, the completion of all new-school and renovation projects promised to the public at the approval of a $250 million bond in 2010, the passage of a $283 million bond to continue the District’s ambitious school-improvement program, and the increase of the graduation rate in Canyons District to 90 percent. 

“The District had searched long and hard to find this great man who came from a very big city and challenging school district in Chicago,” said John Martindale, a leader in the Canyons Education Foundation, the District’s fund-raising arm. “I have enjoyed his leadership style and skill set, which I believe has enhanced the education of its teachers and students in the Canyons School District. We will miss his diversity – come on, he was a Chicago Bears fan! Most importantly, he was a great partner to the Education Foundation that has seen tremendous growth during his tenure. He will be sorely missed.”

The Board of Education will soon decide the next steps to select a new superintendent of the District.

Share This Post

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!

Specialty Schools

High Schools

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org