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

Contractors Selected for Bond Projects at Hillcrest, Brighton, Alta

In accordance with all state procurement guidelines, and during a regularly scheduled and appropriately noticed public meeting, the Board of Education on Tuesday chose the general contractors to oversee the construction of new Brighton and Hillcrest high schools and the major renovation at Alta High. An architectural firm also was selected to design the new Union Middle. The four projects are among the 11 major building efforts that will be funded with proceeds from the $283 million tax-rate-neutral bond proposal that was approved by voters on Nov. 7, 2017. Hogan and Associates Construction was awarded the $2,061,500 contract to rebuild Brighton High. Westland Construction was awarded the $2,594,900 contract to rebuild Hillcrest High, and Hughes Construction was awarded the $1,592,860 contract to complete the renovation work, including the addition of a gymnasium and state-of-the-art auditorium, at Alta High. The Board also awarded the $1,237,500 contract to VCBO to design the new Union Middle.  Members of the Board emphasized that no timetable has been set by taking this action, which secures a price for the contractor work. The Board will continue its discussions regarding the project-priority list at an upcoming meeting.  

Bond Information  

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox reminded the Board of Education that a canvass of the vote on the District’s successful bond measure will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in the Board Chambers of Canyons Administration Building-East, 9361 S. 300 East. In addition, in a first reading, Wilcox asked the Board to consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $49 million in general-obligation bonds and for refunding certain obligations of the District for a cost savings. The resolution does not require the District to issue the bonds. However, it’s the first step CSD must legally take to start the issuance process. 

Recognitions

The Board of Education recognized the following for their achievements:

• Emilee Astle, Alta High, 5A girls tennis first-singles champion
• Karli Branch, Corner Canyon High, 5A cross country state champion
• Georgia Ray, Lindsey Brown, Lydia Stueber, Alta High, artists of CSD’s official holiday card
• Nicole Brooks, Jordan High; Alana Liu, Hillcrest High; Ben Powell, Corner Canyon High; Camille Verreault, Alta High; and Sage Dumas, Brighton High, student-artists who contributed to CAB-East Art Gallery

The Board also received the Above and Beyond Award for its policies supporting active members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the National Guard.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the items on the Consent Agenda, including the meetings from the Oct. 17, 2017 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports, student overnight travel plans; the October Financial Reports; LAND Trust plan amendments for Union Middle, and Edgemont and Silver Mesa elementary schools.  

Proposed Academic Calendars

Dr. Floyd Stensrud, Director of the Office of Planning and Enrollment, updated the Board on proposed academic calendars for the 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. This was the second reading of the proposed calendars, which were drafted by CSD’s Calendar Committee, made up of employees and parents. The calendars also were built with input from 1,002 educators who participated in a survey. The proposed calendars can be found on BoardDocs. 

Policy Updates

The Board heard proposals to update policies governing school calendars, student attendance and the release of student records. Also proposed was a policy to allow parents to deny the release of a student’s information to military or college recruiters. 

LAND Trust Spending

School Performance Director Alice Peck updated the Board of Education on LAND Trust reports filed by Canyons schools for review by the state. The reports have been filed in accordance with state law and in alignment with each school’s academic goals.

Union Middle Bell Schedule Change

The Board heard a proposed change to Union Middle’s bell schedule. The school would like to start five minutes earlier than it does now. If approved, the morning bell would ring at 7:50 a.m. instead of 7:55 a.m. There would be no change to the afternoon bell. School would continue let out at 2:50 p.m. The change is mostly cosmetic, and would make it so that classes start and end in five-minute increments. The Board will take up the matter again this summer when it discusses all school bell schedules. 

Pledge of Allegiance

Cub Scout Pack 4433, the members of whom attend Crescent Elementary, posted the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Crescent Principal Camie Lloyd gave the reverence. 

Patron Comment

Lone Peak Parent Nicole Ellis asked the Board to consider upgrading or replacing the school’s HVAC system. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Jim Briscoe thanked the community for supporting the bond proposal and expressed appreciation for the District Office staff members, teachers, principals, and administrators who worked hard to disseminate information about the $283 million tax-rate-neutral measure. He congratulated the Board for the successful vote.

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox thanked patrons for participating in the vote, regardless of how they voted. He also thanked CSD’s Insurance Department for a successful completion of Health Insurance Open Enrollment.  Wilcox also congratulated student-athletes who participated in fall sports.

Board Member Reports

Mrs. Clareen Arnold, in a spirit of Thanksgiving, expressed gratitude for her peers on the Board and colleagues in the District for their friendship and collegiality. She said she’s grateful for the lessons she’s learned while serving on the Board.  Mrs. Arnold said she’s thankful for the healthy discussions, even debate, among Board members on important issues. 

Mrs. Nancy Tingey said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community on the Board of Education. She also thanked patrons for participating in the vote on Nov. 7, and considers it a “solemn responsibility” to fulfill the promises made during the election. She also mentioned the Utah State Board of Education School Community Council training, which was hosted by Canyons District, and the Town Halls she has hosted with Mr. Steve Wrigley, Mrs. Amber Shill, and Mrs. Arnold.  She also expressed appreciation to CSD school communities for holding Veteran Day celebrations. 

Mrs. Amber Shill thanked patrons for participating in the Nov. 7 election and reiterated a pledge to be a wise steward of public funds while also providing safe and secure schools for the Canyons community. She enjoyed Brighton High’s production of “Xanadu,” and reported on attending Butler Middle’s Veterans Day assembly and concert for beginning band students. 

Mr. Steve Wrigley thanked the staff involved in disseminating information about the successful bond proposal. He also expressed thanks to patrons who participated in the vote and for the trust the public has placed in the District. He reported on attending the meeting of the Student Advisory Committee and Jordan High’s production of “The Addams Family.”  He also lauded CSD’s recent Utah College Application Week, which encouraged all high school seniors to submit at least one viable college application. 

Mr. Mont Millerberg said he was out of the country at the time of the vote, yet stayed abreast of the vote tallies via the Salt Lake County Clerk’s website.  He believes the District’s bond proposal earned nearly 60 percent of the vote because of the trust CSD has built with patrons. He referred to the completion of all 13 projects promised to the community at the passage of the 2010 bond.  While excited for the plans for the future, he said, “now the real work begins.” He commended the school district for having policies that support National Guardsmen and members of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Board President Sherril Taylor expressed appreciation for staff members who worked on the bond-information dissemination effort. He also said he was grateful for the patrons who cast ballots on Election Day. He said he respects every vote. He also said he appreciates the Board’s robust discussions about important issues, and thanked the members for representing their constituents.