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

Study Session

Operating System Subcommittee Report

A subcommittee formed to focus on the “Operating Systems” section of the Strategic Plan is recommending a more equitable reconfiguration of how all CSD schools can benefit from the collection of revenue from cell phone tower leases. Per a policy approved by the Board in 2013, the host school currently retains 85 percent of the amount collected by CSD as a result of the agreement with the cell phone company. The remaining 15 percent is pooled and allocated to schools on a per-student basis for those who do not have a cell-phone tower. The current model benefits high schools who have 12 of the 26 cell towers, Wilcox told the Board of Education. High schools also receive higher amount of TSSA and LAND Trust funds and can also charge registration fees to help defray costs. The recommendation calls for a 10 percent reduction of the amount kept by the host school. Under the proposal, the host school would keep 75 percent rather than 85 percent. It also would cap the maximum amount each school can receive at $30,000. This would increase the amount received by all elementary schools from about $166,533 to $184,210 and reduce the amount to high schools from $150,692 to $125,552. The committee also recommends the proceeds from the tower at Midvale Middle be shared equally with Midvale Elementary. The Board will entertain this proposal in an upcoming meeting. Wilcox also said the subcommittee will review ideas generated by the Elementary Task Force, which CSD agreed to form as part of the negotiated agreement for the 2023-2024 school year. Some ideas could include extending the elementary school day and building in more Professional Learning Community and planning time, providing additional hours to the recess/copy assistants to provide more PLC and planning time for teachers, and decreasing the Friday school day. The subcommittee also is examining some of the reasons 13 secondary teachers have resigned in recent weeks, and the feasibility of operating a daycare for children of Canyons employees. At upcoming subcommittee meetings, the group will discuss cell phones in classrooms, Dual Language Immersion program enrollments, and teacher resignations.

Long-Range Planning

The Board of Education received information about possible new sites or renovation ideas for a proposed new Canyons Technical Education Center, including a new technical center at a renovated Eastmont Middle or Jordan High. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox presented draft configurations of a new CTEC near Mount Jordan Middle, at the current CTEC location, or in the old Crescent View Middle building. Wilcox also outlined the amount of 2010 and 2017 bond money spent on projects in municipalities in Canyons. Overall, 22 percent of bond money has been spent in Cottonwood Heights, 15.4 percent has been spent in Draper, 34.9 percent has been spent in Midvale (counting the Union Middle project), and 27.6 percent has been spent in Sandy. The District is considering all funding options to address facility needs at Jordan High, Eastmont Middle, Corner Canyon High, and Hillcrest. In addition, the CSD Administration is studying how to fund proposed relocations of fuel tanks and renovations at the Transportation Department headquarters.

Canyons Virtual Academy Update

About 4,800 students are enrolled in fourth through 12^th grade online classes through the Canyons Virtual Academy, according to Principal Amy Boettger. Some 100 of those students come to the CSD remote-learning program from outside of Canyons boundaries, said Boettger, who also said the projected course-completion rate is 57 percent. The virtual academy houses the next generation of online academic programs provided by Canyons, which launched Canyons Online in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, Canyons Online, which provided a vital service for families during the pandemic, was collapsed into the Virtual Academy. As a result, personnel costs have been reduced by about $1.3 million. Boettger said the academy is an effective, asynchronous online program, with 54.1 percent of enrolled students completing their asynchronous-instruction courses. Acceleration also is possible. With parent involvement and approval, middle schools students can take high school courses via the academy. Overall, the academy’s enrollment is expected to grow 4 percent annual and the majority of students passes their online courses. Next steps, Boettger said, include marketing the academy even more to out-of-boundary students, research the best supports for online learners, and review and improve course content.

Academic Calendars

The Board of Education continues to review proposed calendars for the 2024-205 school year and tentative calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. 

Review of Canyons CDA/RDA Agreements

There are 11 tax-increment financing projects in Canyons District, says Business Administrator Leon Wilcox. The CDA and RDA projects include Cottonwood Heights Canyons Center, Draper’s Frontrunner area, Draper’s South Mountain, Draper’s Sand Hills/Crescent area, Midvale’s Bingham Junction, Jordan Bluffs, Midvale Main Street, Sandy’s 114^th South commercial district, Sandy’s Transit Oriented Development, Sandy Civic Center North, and Sandy Civic Center South. Canyons does not have as many tax-increment financing agreements as other districts, he said, and many are expiring in about a decade. However, Wilcox pointed out, CSD does have some very large areas under TIF agreements. In Fiscal Year 2023, Canyons contributed $14.2 million towards TIF agreements. Of that amount, about $4.1M was returned to District for its share. The District has not recently been approached by any agency seeking a new TIF agreement.

USBA Update

Members of the Canyons Board of Education indicated they want to express ideas to the Utah School Boards Association about the involvement of school boards in legislative issues. The Board signaled an intent to write a letter to the USBA Board of Directors, asking for additional communication about pressing legislative matters and an improved process for how school boards can advocate for public education during meetings of the Utah legislature, among other issues. The Board will circulate a draft of a letter for every member to review. 

School Highlights

Willow Canyon Principal Nicole Svee-Magann lauded the hard work of the Willow Canyon faculty and staff for their hard work to guide student to stellar scores on last year’s year-end assessments. Willow Canyon students, she said, earned growth in all academic areas. As a result, Willow Canyon was announced this week by the U.S. News and World Report as the No. 7 elementary in all of Utah. Willow Canyon is inclusive, welcoming, and encourages expressions through the arts. This year, the school’s 50^th, will be the best year ever, she said. 

Patron Comment

The following patron addressed the Board during Patron Comment. Recordings of the patron’s remarks can be accessed on BoardDocs.

• Kaylee Hermann
• Abreanna Barron
• Keegan Grow
• Enoch Grow
• Heber Sharp
• Jake Despain
• Valerie Espinoza
• Claire Toone
• Stephen Sugiyama

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements and contributions:

• CTEC’s Edwin Lehauli, the Utah CTE Teacher of the Month
• Jordan High counselor Julie Less and Assistant Principal Sara Little for their customer-service approach to helping a Jordan High family
• The Canyons Education Foundation for distributing nearly $100,000 in Innovation Grants
• Canyons Web Manager and Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards for leading a project to earn a 100 percent state compliance rating on SCC websites.
• Winners of the 2023 Apex Awards
• Canyons District’s ESP for National Education Support Professionals Day

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, which includes the minutes of the Oct. 17, 2023 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student-overnight travel requests; October financial reports; East Midvale TSSP and LAND Trust amendments; and a Memorandum of Understand between Canyons and Alpine District regarding Suncrest busing.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins thanked Jordan High, Eastmont and Willow Canyon students for attending Board meeting. He also thanked CAESP leadership for attending the meeting, and expressed appreciation for ESP for their hard work and dedication.

Mr. Wilcox thanked ESP for their work and noted the success of the health insurance Open Enrollment period for benefit-eligible employees. Also, he noted that bond payments on the Hillcrest rebuild project have been fulfilled, he said.

Board of Education Reports

Mrs. Karen Pedersen thanked Jordan and Eastmont students for speaking at Board meeting, reported on attending Jordan’s “Brigadoon” and Corner Canyon’s “The Addams Family” musicals, and discussed the recent trips to technical centers to advise Board facility discussions.

Mrs. Nancy Tingey reported on attending a dress performance of “Brigadoon,” Monday night’s performance of “The Addams Family,” and the Student Advisory Council meeting, 

Mrs. Amanda Oaks lauded the “The Addams Family” cast and crew for their performances, reported on attending an Indian Hills faculty meeting, noted the “Civics 101” Town Hall she held with President Shill, and commended organizers of Alta High’s Veterans Day assembly. 

Mr. Andrew Edtl encouraged his patrons to follow him on Instagram and Facebook to see which schools he’s visiting. He proposed adding assistant principals to all elementary principals to support the administrative functions of a building and enhancing education for students.

Mrs. Holly Neibaur thanked students who spoke during Patron Comment. She joined Edtl in asking for additional discussions about the duties of a principal. She also applauded “The Addams Family” cast and crew for an amazing show. She would like additional Board discussion about an Innovation Center as part of Career and Technology Education offerings.

President Shill mentioned last week’s legislative luncheon and thanked Education Support Professionals for their work.