Board Summary, April 1, 2025

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

Administrative Appointment

The Board of Education voted to appoint Terri Mitchell as Canyons District’s new Special Education Director. Mitchell, who has been with CSD since its founding days, is currently the Early Childhood Program Administrator. She replaces Nate Edvalson, who is resigning to accept an administrative role in the Provo City School District. Other appointments include:

• Matt Nelson, currently Principal at East Midvale Elementary, will become Principal at Jordan Valley School, replacing Stacey Nofsinger.
• Nofsinger, currently Principal at Jordan Valley School, will become Principal at Life Skills Academy.
• Amy Sandgren, Assistant Principal at Midvalley Elementary, will become Principal at East Midvale Elementary, replacing Nelson.
• Sara Caldwell, Assistant Principal at Midvale Elementary, will become Assistant Principal at Altara Elementary.
• Wesley Morgan will be assigned to Alta View Elementary as an Assistant Principal.
• Scott Taylor will become an Assistant Principal at Crescent Elementary, replacing Kimberly Ranney, who was promoted to Principal at Oak Hollow Elementary in a previous Board meeting.
• Rebecca Bass, an Assistant Principal at Corner Canyon High, will become Assistant Principal at Draper Elementary.
• Rachel Ostvig will become an Assistant Principal at Lone Peak Elementary.
• Noemi Jones will become an Assistant Principal at Midvalley Elementary.
• Mike Larsen will become an Assistant Principal at Peruvian Park Elementary.
• Anna Livingston will serve as an Assistant Principal at Sprucewood Elementary. She replaces Ashley Lennox, who was promoted to Principal at Sprucewood Elementary in a previous Board meeting
• Ivie Erickson will become an Assistant Principal at Sunrise Elementary.
• Amber Rock will become an Assistant Principal at Willow Springs Elementary.
• Amy Brown will be an Assistant Principal at Midvale Elementary.
• Crystal Connors, Assistant Principal at Mount Jordan Middle, will become AP at Ridgecrest Elementary.
• Amanda Parker, Assistant Principal at Albion Middle, will become an Assistant Principal at Mount Jordan Middle.
• Alisha Wheeler will be an Assistant Principal at Albion Middle.
• Karlie Aardema, an Assistant Principal at Indian Hills Middle, will become an AP at Union Middle.
• Tonya Rauch will be an Assistant Principal at Indian Hills Middle.
• Taylor Andersen, an Assistant Principal at Corner Canyon High, will be transferred to Brighton High School.
• Katie Campbell, an Assistant Principal at Hillcrest High, will become an Assistant Principal at Corner Canyon High.
• Sally Williams, the Secondary Health and PE Specialist in CSD’s Instructional Supports Department, will become Assistant Principal at Corner Canyon High.

Long Range Planning Committee Update

Enrollment in Canyons schools is declining because of the slowing birthrate, built-out boundaries, and the high prices of housing that makes it challenging for young families to move into CSD neighborhoods. In addition, says Business Administrator Leon Wilcox, charter and private schools have been able to successfully operate in CSD’s boundaries, pulling away some enrollment. All this combined, Wilcox told the Board of Education, has led to low capacities at numerous Canyons elementary schools. In response to these issues, the Board agreed with a recommendation from the Long-Range Planning Committee to start a study of boundaries, possible school consolidations, and potential school closures. The Board may consider official directives about the proposed studies at the May 6 meeting. A study of boundaries, building use, and programs would ensure the responsible expenditure of public funds while also maintaining educational quality, Board members said. In Canyons, according to Wilcox, 10 elementary schools have fewer than 375 students, a number that makes it difficult to maintain appropriate staffing ratios, as well as fairly divide school-operational duties among the staff. Smaller schools also receive less funding for supplies and equipment and through LAND Trust and TSSA. The committee also recommended a study of Dual Language Immersion programs. Board members said the review process will be strategic, cautious, transparent, in-depth, and have a robust communication plan, extending far past what is required for public notification for possible school closures or consolidations.

Superintendent Listening Tour

Throughout the school year, the Administration has done 33 Superintendent Listening Tour stops. In all, Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins met with 18 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools, plus one special program and five departments. Class sizes, facility needs, special education needs, and the challenges of teaching multi-lingual learners were among the topics that emerged during the Listening Tour stops. Input received during Listening Tour meetings in previous years have led to such changes as employee childcare, extra planning time for elementary teachers, the addition of assistant principals, a one-lane pay increase for paraprofessionals, and the conversation of two days of family sick to personal leave.

Bell Schedules, Bus Stops

No changes to bell schedules are planned for the 2025-2026 school year, according to Wilcox. However, Corner Canyon is evaluating whether it should start school at 7:45 a.m. instead of the current 7:55 a.m. Wilcox said the CCHS administration may build an advisory period into the schedule instead of how it’s currently done at CCHS. Board approval would be sought if the school decides to change the schedule for the coming year, Wilcox said. In addition, the District also is reviewing how to comply with HB161, a bill titled “School Bus Route Amendments.” The bill changes how CSD is reimbursed by the Utah State Office of Education for busing provided to sixth-grade students in CSD. Previously, all sixth graders who lived 1.5 miles or more from their boundary school qualified for transportation services. The change in the law pushes the mileage count for all middle school stops to at least 2 miles from the school. Starting in the coming school year, Wilcox said, families whose children don’t qualify for busing will still be able to seek a space-available permit, he said.

Emergency Management Team Update

The committee responsible for safety and security measures in CSD schools continues to work on the state-required armed guardian and School Safety Specialist programs, among other security measures. The committee, called the Emergency Management Team, was formed following the active shooter situation at Union Middle in 2016. Since that time, the committee has revised CSD’s Incident Command Manual, put into place a emergency-protocol drill schedule, created a communication plan for every emergency protocol, completed a thorough review of security measures after the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and plans ongoing training sessions for state-required School Safety Specialists. 

School Calendar

The Calendar Committee is proposing a revised calendar for the coming school year. Human Resources Director Steve Dimond said the suggested revision stems from a change in state code, which moves the first day of kindergarten to Wednesday, Aug. 20. This adjustment allows for additional time for individualized testing and evaluation. Dimond noted the revised calendar would move Parent-Teacher Conferences to three days, while rotating the days PTC is held between levels. Additionally, the District proposes converting two additional instructional days, for a total of four days, to Professional Development Days, as allowed by state code. Those days would be Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 and Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. For the Brighton calendar, which is different because Brighton operates on the trimester schedule, Parent-Teacher Conferences would move to Oct. 2, 2025 to accommodate extra-curricular activities and Homecoming. The September and February PD days also would be added to the calendar. The dates would be the same as the other schools. 

Policy Update

Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen led a discussion on proposed updates  to policies governing school fees, service animals in schools, animals on campuses, extracurricular activities and student participation, and field trips. The Board of Education continues to review the proposed updates. 

Technology Advisory Committee

District leadership seeks to empanel an advisory committee to discuss best practices for the use of technology in elementary classrooms. Board members will be asked to recommend two or three parents to serve on the committee. Other members could include CSD Information Technology personnel, students, chairpersons of Strategic Planning subcommittees; principal-recommended teachers, and two members from External Relations.

Land Trust and TSSP reports

School Performance Director Alice Meridith encouraged Board members to continue reading and preparing for approval the proposed Land TRUST and TSSP plans, which are scheduled to be placed on the April 15 Consent Agenda.

Student Advisory Council

The Board of Education hosted the Student Advisory Council at a reception to thank the members for their work throughout the school year.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes of the Board meeting on March 18, 2025; hire and termination reports; student-overnight travel; purchasing bids; a lease agreement with the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area, and a TSSP Amendment for Willow Canyon Elementary. The Board also approved administrative appointments. 

School Highlights

Sprucewood Elementary is among the schools being considered by NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services to receive Artemis Moon Tree seedlings, says Principal Cathy Schino. Schools can apply to receive the seeds flown on Artemis I as part of the national STEM engagement and conservation education. Sprucewood is known in the community for STEAM Nights, high-quality arts instruction, well-attended school musicals, and high instructional quality. Assistant Principal Ashely Lennox and Instructional Coach Christina Van Dam also attended to speak about Sprucewood’s hallmarks of excellence and tradition.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Draper Park head custodian Andy Markus for being named the National Education Support Professional of the Year.
• Alta High’s color guard for winning first place at the state Winterguard competition.
• CSD winners of the state PTA Reflections competition.
• Canyons schools that finished high in the latest U.S. News and World report rankings.

Patron Comment

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

• Alli Weaver
• Megan Malan
• Jen Archuleta
• Jessica Smith

Board of Education Reports

Ms. Karen Pedersen expressed appreciation to all Board-meeting presenters for developing clear and concise presentations. She also thanked Dr. Robins for his leadership.

Ms. Katie Dahle thanked the Student Advisory Committee and reported on attending spring musicals, plays, and art shows. She thanked CSD Administrators for their efforts.

Ms. Amanda Oaks reported on a visit to the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah to influence plans for CSD’s Innovation Center at the former eBay building.

Mr. Andrew Edtl reported on meeting with Sandy Elementary faculty to discuss safety and security measures, as well as improvements to the HVAC system.

Mr. Jackson Lewis attended the ESP PD at Jordan High, congratulated Draper Park AFM Andy Markus for winning the National ESP of the Year. He encouraged mindful technology consumption.

Ms. Holly Neibaur appreciates the work required to develop and present complicated presentations. She enjoyed the conversation among Board members about the Technology-Use Committee and appreciated the parents who participated in Patron Comment. She noted the uptick in concerning behavior issues.

President Shill reminded Board members about the Roundtable discussion Wednesday night at the eBay building and gave an update on the planned correspondence with legislators and the Utah governor’s office. She attended Oakdale’s “Willy Wonka” production and the spring gala of the Canyons Education Foundation.