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

Budget Proposal

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox presented an overview of the proposed 2017-2018 budget for Canyons District. He said the tentative budget aligns resources with the Board’s stated vision and mission.  The budget proposal aims to increase compensation to recruit and retain excellent teachers and support staff; implement student-behavior programs with Enhanced At-Risk Funds; and maintain current class sizes with a 30-FTE cushion to support teacher teaming and Dual Language Immersion, etc.  The proposed budget includes increases for utilities, supplies, and instructional technology.  Wilcox also told the Board salaries and benefits make up about 87 percent of the General Fund Budget. While insurance costs are expected to go up, the District is planning to cover most of the costs. The state’s funding formula, called the Weighted Pupil Unit, will increase to $3,311. However, the District plans to spend $7,700 per student. Wilcox also mentioned that two current construction projects – the new Alta View Elementary and Midvale Middle – will be complete this year. The costs of the scheduled renovation of Indian Hills Middle also will be seen in the proposed budget. The proposed budget also includes several Capital projects, including roof replacements at Park Lane and Oakdale elementary schools; carpet at Altara, Sunrise and portions of Alta and Brighton; and an ADA upgrade at Lone Peak Elementary. Wilcox also said it’s not expected that school lunch prices will go up.  The Board also has approved a fee schedule that has no increases. The budget proposal is scheduled to be adopted June 13. The Board will be asked to adopt both the revised fiscal year 2017 budget and tentative fiscal year 2018 budget. The budget proposal will be made available for public perusal 15 days before the scheduled adoption. If needed, additional budgetary information will be brought to the Board after June 22 when the certified tax rate is expected to be released. 

LAND Trust Plans

The Board of Education received LAND Trust plans for the schools in the Canyons District. The plans, which are reviewed and approved by members of the Board, include each school’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. The target approval date for the plans is April 24. 

Supplemental Hours of Instruction

Instructional Supports Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward updated the Board on enrollment progress for CSD’s Supplemental Hours of Instruction for Kindergarten program. The District is moving forward with its plan to expand the sites of the tuition-based kindergarten initiative. Dr. Roderick-Landward said a final decision on the program sites is dependent on the number of applications submitted. The goal is begin notifying applications of acceptance to the program by April 21. Cost for the program is $2,950 a year, and can be paid in monthly installments, August-May. Financial-need scholarships also are available for qualifying students.  

Possible Agenda Topics

The Board of Education discussed possible topics for discussion at upcoming Board meetings and retreats. Suggestions for discussion included updates to the elementary-school Brain Booster program; the District’s facilities plan; CSD mental-health supports and services; further examination of the District’s vision and mission; the evaluation tool for the Superintendent and the Business Administrator; and gifted-student education, among other items. 

Policy Update

Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen updated the Board on proposed changes to personnel policies governing salary levels for employees returning to work after a work-related medical accident; health-insurance eligibility; long-term disability; and employee probation.

Pledge of Allegiance and Reverence

A Scout Troop from Bella Vista Elementary led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bella Vista Principal Cory Anderson remarked on the power of positivity, and applauded his community for coming together to support student achievement. Remarkable things happen every day within Bella Vista classrooms, he said, but a few, such as the Dr. Seuss-centric Read Across America celebration, have garnered media attention this year.

Recognitions

The Board of Education recognized the following students, administrators, and community members:

• Brighton High student Julianne Liu, who won the Bonnevile Exchange Youth of the Year Award
• Canyon View Elementary Principal BJ Weller, recipient of the Utah PTA Outstanding School Administrator Award. 
• Sunrise Head Secretary Wendy Heath, who received the Utah PTA Outstanding Support Staff Award
• Willow Springs’ Leslie Bruce, who received the Utah PTA Advocacy Award
• Peter Cannon, a father of a student at Alta View Elementary, for receiving the Utah PTA Involvement Award.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the consent agenda, including hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student overnight travel; the list of school fees for 2017-2018 school year; an amended LAND Trust plan for Alta High; the acceptance of lots from Sandy City on which CTEC construction-management students will build houses. 

Jordan High Feeder Proposal

The Board of Education told the Office of School Performance and Jordan High administrators to move forward with a summer academic program for Beetdigger freshmen. The aim of the program is to help students from Eastmont and Mount Jordan middle schools transition to high school classes, especially in math and science. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe reported on attending the National School Board Association Conference. He also mentioned that Board Vice President Nancy Tingey was formally recognized at the national conference for serving as the President of the Utah School Board Association. He also thanked members of the PTA and other volunteers for their efforts in CSD.  Specifically, he mentioned PTA Region 17 Director Betty Shaw. He also expressed appreciation for Wilcox and his team for their work on the budget proposal.   

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox thanked Sandy City for donating the building lots for our construction-management students. He also thanked the Canyons Human Resources department for tis extensive recruitment efforts.

Reports from the Board of Education  

Mr. Chad Iverson said he attended the regional spelling bee. He also said he’s excited for the Indian Hills Middle groundbreaking on Thursday, April 13. The event will be at 5:30 p.m. at the school. 

Mrs. Clareen Arnold said she learned a lot at the NSBA conference and expressed appreciation for being able to attend. She looks forward to the Teacher of the Year reception and announcement ceremony. She also commended those involved in the Jordan High Feeder Program, and thanked Wilcox for preparing a thorough budget proposal. She also thanked Sandy City for the donation of the land for the CTEC students.

Vice President Mrs. Nancy Tingey also reported on her attendance at the NSBA Conference.  She also said she attended some of the school Teacher of the Year reveal parties, and expressed thanks for the donation of the land for the CTEC students. 

Second Vice President Mrs. Amber Shill reported on attending the NSBA conference, Canyon View’s PTA meeting, and the announcement of the Teacher of the Year, as well as Weller’s recognition as the PTA Administrator of the Year.  She also attended Granite Elementary’s production of “Schoolhouse Rock.”  She and Mrs. Tingey also will host a Town Hall Thursday, April 20. They will meet with patrons from 7:30-9 p.m. in the media center at Butler Middle. 

Mr. Steve Wrigley also reported on attending the NSBA conference. He said he visited Diamond Ridge High. He said students responded positively to a survey that asked if they enjoyed school and whether they thought the teachers cared about them.  He said students also expressed a desire to graduate from high school. 

Mr. Mont Millerberg reported on attending the Incident Command Manual Update Committee.  He expressed thanks to the staff who are focusing on improving the safety and security of CSD buildings. He also thanked the nearly 12,000 volunteers who work in Canyons schools.

Board President Sherril Taylor said he’s looking forward to the Indian Hills Middle groundbreaking ceremony. He also thanked the Scouts for conducting the Pledge of Allegiance and posting the colors. He also expressed appreciation to members of the Board for representing their constituents and attending so many activities in the District, and the administration for working hard on behalf of students. He also thanked the Sandy Police officers who provided security at the meeting.