Midvale Middle School Receives New Assistant Principal

The Board approved the appointment of Kelly Tauteoli as the new assistant principal of Midvale Middle School. Ms. Tauteoli, who has been working as an assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle School in Jordan District, is fluent in Spanish and is a former youth-in-custody teacher. She replaces Christine Waddell, who was appointed principal of Butler Elementary School earlier this month.

Board Expands Public, In-Depth Study Sessions

The Board will boost the time it spends studying policy matters as a way to improve education for Canyons students. The Board generally wants to reserve the first Tuesday of the month for study sessions, beginning at 5 p.m., and schedule study sessions and business meetings the third Tuesday of the month. The Board noted it would, however, schedule business meetings the first Tuesday of the month as needed.  Study sessions and business meetings are open to the public. Study sessions typically include more in-depth discussions, while business meetings include discussion and official action.

Board Action

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, including the Aug. 3 minutes, purchasing bids, home school affidavit report, July financial reports, and an administrative appointment. It also approved student overnight travel for the Canyons School District FCCLA.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent David Doty said he is concerned about the affect of road construction on traffic during the first few weeks of school, and wants to get the word out to parents to expect delays and leave early to get to school on time. He reported on the employee forums offered earlier in the day to welcome back school staff and unify employees around career- and college-ready goals. He noted a committee is poised to present the Utah High School Activities Association with recommendations on reclassification and region realignment; Board Vice President Sherril Taylor said he believes the recommendations come in part due to issues brought to the fore by Hillcrest High School and Dr. Doty.

CFO’s Report

CFO and General Counsel Keith Bradford said he would like architects who are bidding on five school projects under the recently passed $250 million bond to present to the Board next month.

Board Reports

Ellen Wallace thanked the Administration for its employee forum earlier in the day.

Kim Horiuchi reported on the Utah School Boards Association Delegate Assembly, where the group ratified priorities for the 2011 Legislative Session. She said USBA’s platform has moved toward bolstering the state’s Capital Outlay Foundation Program rather than capital equalization between districts. She also urged the Governor and Legislature to accept the $101 million from the federal government to help public schoolteachers keep their jobs. She said the money could save up to 1,500 school jobs at a time of nearly 10 percent unemployment in Utah and prevent a jump in class size. She also said that the sum, to which Utahns contributed, would benefit another state if Utah turns it down. She suggested the Board take a formal position on accepting the funds.

Kevin Cromar is impressed with the District Arts Consortium’s efforts to expand orchestra programs. He praised the employee forum, and compared Dr. Doty to Horace Mann, founder of the common school, and was reminded of the importance of treating each other with respect as conveyed in the Broadway play “Wicked,” which he viewed in New York this summer. He described Canyons’ first year as well executed and miraculous. He praised the fact Canyons eighth-, 10^th- and 11^th-graders will take the ACT Explore, Plan and college entrance tests, respectively, this school year. He also talked about bond voting trends by Board precinct.

Study, Closed Session

The Board was briefed on first day of school activities, including implementation of a customer-service call center, “Red Carpet” events at Title I schools, and administrators offering support at schools. Amber Roderick-Landward, Executive Director of Evidence-Based Learning Instruction and Innovation in Elementary Schools, said some schools’ math books are on back order, but resources needed to begin teaching were found online and made available to teachers. Facilities Director Rick Conger briefed the Board on ongoing construction projects and his employees’ focus on school grounds. The Board also met in closed session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual.