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

Board Leadership

In an unanimous vote, Amber Shill was selected as the next President of the Canyons Board of Education. She was nominated to the post by current President Nancy Tingey, who expressed her confidence that Shill, a past president of the Utah School Boards Association, has the leadership skills and the abilities to serve as the Board’s leader. Amanda Oaks, recently re-elected after her first term, was named a vice president. Board member Mont Millerberg, now in his third term, will serve as vice president, as well. Canyons’ duly-elected panel has decided to have two vice presidents for a decade. Shill lauded Tingey’s leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the demands were non-stop. “There is really no one who is more dedicated. She works 100-hour weeks,” Shill said. The new Board President also said she was “humbled and grateful for this opportunity” to serve as Board President. Shill, who in the fall won re-election to a third term, is the second woman to serve as Board President in Canyons District history.  Tingey was the first.

Teacher Professional Development and Planning Days

The Board of Education approved a proposal to convert two instructional days into two additional teacher-preparation and professional development days in the 2023-2024 school year. The proposal adds the days at the end of the first and third quarters for all three levels—elementary, middle and high schools. The first day is Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. The second is Friday, March 22, 2024. The Administration made the request for the extra days in response to teachers who report they need more time to plan and prepare. State law and Utah State Board of Education rule allow school districts to reserve up to 32 hours or four school days for professional learning. If approved, the days would be mix of professional development and preparation time. The proposal would not extend the contract year. The days would be in addition to the 16 non-school-time hours for which CSD teachers are compensated as part of their negotiated agreement. Per the motion by the Board, the Calendar Committee guidelines also will need to be amended.

Eastmont Middle Update

After participating in remote learning for the first eight instructional days of January, Eastmont Middle students have returned to in-person learning. However, the Eastmont Patriots did not return to their 50-year-old white school building at 10100 S. 1300 East. Instead, Eastmont students, teachers, and staff have been displaced to the old Crescent View Middle building, 1150 S. 300 East. The temporary move to the old CVMS building was prompted by the discovery of asbestos found in the adhesive holding down layers of tile on Eastmont’s basement floor. The discovery was made over Winter Recess when the flooring was being repaired. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said 23 people may have been exposed before school was shuttered to employees, students, and the public. The District advised those people in emails and hard copy letters to seek medical attention. Wilcox reported that an environmental mitigation company continues to work on the specialized clean-up, he said, and it’s unknown how long the $600,000 mitigation effort will take. A remediation plan, submitted to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, has been tentatively approved. Workers could be involved in the project, which includes the removal of mercury from under the warped gymnasium floor, until the final week of February. Eastmont staff, as well as CSD personnel, toiled nonstop in the to ready the old CVMS building for an influx of teenage students, said Principal Stacy Kurtzhals, who noted the amount of teamwork that was required to open the building in a short period of time. Busing also is being provided to Eastmont students who usually walk to school, she said. Wilcox said the Board will continue to receive updates on the project.

Life-Skills Curriculum Roll-Out

An overview of the proposed created-by-Canyons life-skills curriculum, tentatively given the name “Thrive Time,” will be presented to CSD principals on Thursday, Jan. 19. After that meeting, said Student Services Director Dr. Brian McGill, the leaders at CSD elementary and middle schools can indicate whether they want to participate in the field test. Throughout the field-test process, the Student Services and Instructional Support departments will continue to take feedback and refine the curriculum, McGill said. A curriculum adoption and approval process could begin in April.  The “Thrive Time” lessons could be implemented for use in schools in the fall. The aim of the curriculum is to help students learn how to make responsible decisions, establish goals, develop resilience, show respect,  and calmly resolve conflicts.

Legislative Update

External Relations Director Charlie Evans and Public Engagement Coordinator provided an update on the start of the 2023 General Session of the Utah Legislature. The first day of the session was Tuesday, Jan. 17 — the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Board of Education received an update on the education-related issues expected to be debated and evaluated during the session. Board members also remarked on the Thursday, Jan. 12 luncheon with Utah senators and representatives who represent CSD constituents during which the Board’s legislative priorities were discussed.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes from the Dec. 13, 2023 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student-overnight travel; December financial reports; and administrative appointments.

Administrative Appointments

When Canyons Online Administrator Michelle Shimmin’s retires in a few weeks, the oversight of online classes in CSD will revert to Diamond Ridge High Principal Amy Boettger. Boettger will be assisted in this effort by a new Assistant Principal, Jared Tucker, who will be transferred from his AP post at Alta High.  Kory Crockett, now an achievement coach at Midvale Middle, will replace Tucker at Alta. The changes will be effective following Shimmin’s retirement on Jan. 31.

School Highlights

Oak Hollow Elementary Principal Julie Mootz told the Board of Education that Oak Hollow could be considered special for its top rating in the Utah school-grading system or its French-English Dual Language Immersion program. But it is the people who work at Oak Hollow who truly make it an amazing place, Mootz said. She noted and lauded the contributions of teachers, paraeducators, teacher-trainers, nutrition service workers, custodians, recess aides, and behavior assistants who do so much to the lives of children. Mootz also led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Patron Comment

The following patrons addressed the Board during Patron Comment. Recordings of their remarks can be accessed on BoardDocs.

• Nicole Ford
• Anna McNamer

Standing Committee Assignments

President Shill asked Board members for standing-committee assignment requests.

Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Bob Dowdle, CSD’s Assistant Superintendent, for his contributions.  He is retiring at the end of the school year.
• Caleb Shabestari, Alta High instrumental music teacher, for being named the Utah High School Activities Association’s 5A Music Teacher of the Year.
• Scott Stucki, the longtime coach of Hillcrest’s cross-country and track teams, is the UHSAA 5A Coach of the Year.
• The District wished good luck to CSD drill and cheer teams at upcoming region and state contests.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins expressed appreciation to Dr. Dowdle, who recently announced his upcoming retirement. Dr. Dowdle will end his 35-year career at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.  He also thanked the Board for the calm and thoughtful change in Board leadership.

Mr. Wilcox also thanked Dr. Dowdle, Canyons’ first-ever Assistant Superintendent, for his contributions to the District. He noted the plan submitted to the Utah Department of Environment Quality about Eastmont Middle will require thorough testing to make sure the building is safe after asbestos was discovered during remodeling.

Board of Education Reports

Mr. Millerberg reported on the mural project at Jordan Valley coordinated by the Gerritt Gong family, his attendance at a Peer Court session, and a meeting with the Student Advisory Council.  He also attended the Superintendent’s Listening Tour at Midvalley Elementary.

Mr. Andrew Edtl thanked Nancy Tingey for her leadership while she served as Board President and reported on attending CTEC’s Open House. He said he enjoyed meeting with CSD’s Transportation Department.

Mrs. Amanda Oaks expressed appreciation for Mrs. Tingey’s leadership and experience. She lauded the quality of the USBA conference, and noted the panel discussion held by CSD Board members on the development of the Strategic Plan.

Mrs. Nancy Tingey noted the session that focused on CSD’s Strategic Plan and the Superintendent’s Listening Tour.  She also said CSD recently held a luncheon for legislators who represent Canyons constituents. During the event, Board members unveiled their legislative priorities for the 2023 General Session of the Utah Legislature. She also thanked her fellow Board members, District staff and school leaders for their hard work and professionalism during her tenure as Board President.

Mrs. Karen Pedersen reported on attending the USBA conference, the legislative luncheon, and the Student Advisory Council meeting. She also said she’s been in constant communication about the Eastmont mitigation and temporary move to the old Crescent View Middle.

Mrs. Holly Neibaur expressed appreciation about the amount of communication that has gone to the community about Eastmont and the Board’s panel discussion about the Strategic Plan.  She thanked Tingey for her dedication and savvy as Board President and noted the importance of the legislative luncheon to discuss legislative priorities. She also said she appreciates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

President Shill thanked Mrs. Tingey, Mrs. Oaks and Mr. Wrigley for their work in the Board’s prior leadership team. She also thanked Dr. Dowdle for his contributions to the District and his always-welcoming demeanor with parents, employees, and students.