Joined by their families in a special ceremony, three new members of the Canyons Board of Education took the Oath of Office on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, thus beginning a new chapter in Canyons District history. New Board Members Robert Green, Nancy Tingey, and Chad Iverson, who were elected in November 2012, were sworn into office by Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen. The public ceremony included musical numbers by the Jordan High School Ladies Virtuoso Choir and a reception.
The three new Board Members will join Board Members Tracy Scott Cowdell, Sherril Taylor, Kim Horiuchi and Steve Wrigley in their efforts to create a district of distinction.
Tingey, a longtime parent volunteer and School Community Council member, said she looks forward to continuing her commitment to public education as a Board Member. “Tonight, I’m grateful for another opportunity to serve in the cause of education,” she said. “It’s about rolling up our sleeves, going to work, and working together.”
Iverson said he will seek to improve education, fiscal responsibility and transparency in Board decisions and communications during his four-year term. “I’m looking forward to the chance to improve upon the Canyons School District,” he said, noting the efforts of past Boards of Education and Administration. “It’s now our opportunity to take the next step and make it even better. I think we can do that if we come together as a Board.”
Green pledged to be a steward of public tax dollars. He also said he is looking forward to the opportunity to improve education for students, particularly in the high-demand fields of math and science, and to create positive change during his term on the Board. “We have good schools,” he said, “but I think we can make them better.”
Superintendent David S. Doty in his State of the District speech noted the District has accomplished a great deal in four years, including earning support for a $250 million bond to improve educational opportunities for students and creating the state’s first college- and career-ready diplomas. He said challenges lie ahead, but that they can be overcome by working together. “While the past four years have been very difficult at times, they have also been very rewarding, and instilled in me a sense of optimism and hope about the future of Canyons School District. I believe wonderful things lie ahead as we collaborate together and do what is best for students.”
Board President Tracy Scott Cowdell recalled the 2007 public vote that created Canyons District, and the inaugural Board’s efforts to make good schools even better. He likened the new Board of Education to “Canyons 2.0,” to borrow a term from the computer software industry, and noted its capability to make further improvements.
“Today we have three new Board members who took the Oath of Office. I think it’s time to look at it as a complete new issuance of software … time to listen to what the new Board members have to say, and learn from their experiences,” Cowdell said. “I’m really optimistic that the Canyons 2.0 will be much better than the Canyons 1.5 and the Canyons 1.0. There’s too much at stake for it not to be.”
To listen to the remarks, please visit BoardDocs and click the Jan. 8, 2013 Agenda.
