Board Summary, Jan. 21, 2025

Board Summary

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

Satisfaction Survey Results

The overall job satisfaction of Canyons teachers has jumped significantly in the past two years, according to the most-recent survey of Canyons District’s licensed educators. Seventy-three percent of teachers in Canyons said they either “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with the statement “All in all, I am satisfied with my job in CSD.”  This is a 10-point increase in just two years, noted the Instructional Supports Department’s Lora Tuesday-Heathfield, who presented the 2024 employee survey results to the Board of Education. Each year since the 2015-2016 school year, the CSD Administration has surveyed teachers and other licensed personnel to gauge general satisfaction, expectations, professional growth, value and belonging and well-being, she said. Some 47 percent, or 1,076, licensed employees completed and submitted the survey in the spring. Tuesday-Heathfield said the surveys show a two-year upward trend in overall satisfaction of licensed personnel, Education Support Professionals, and Administrators. Board of Education member Holly Neibaur pointed out the rise in the number of teachers who say they “feel physically safe at their school/department.” The number of teachers who agree with that statement rose to 73 percent, an 8 percent increase in one year. A significant number of teachers also responded affirmatively when asked if CSD provides teachers with “adequate training to know how to respond to an emergency.” This year, 75 percent agreed with that statement — an increase of 7 percent over the previous year’s survey. The 2024 survey of administrators, which has an overall reliability of 94 percent, shows that 85 percent of school and department leaders are satisfied with their job. Ninety-two percent also say they have adequate support from their supervisors to reach their potential in their position, according to the survey results. In addition, 81 percent — an 8-percent boost in one year –— say they feel valued by the Canyons community. Both contracted and hourly CSD Education Support Professionals overwhelmingly say they are satisfied with their jobs in CSD, according to the survey results. Some 79 percent of contracted ESP and 85 percent of hourly ESP responded that they would recommend a job at CSD to a friend or relative. Eighty-one percent and 93 percent of contracted and hourly ESP, respectively, say they feel physically safe at their CSD place of employment, according to the survey. The Board of Education will continue to review the results and work with the Administration on how to respond to employee concerns, as identified through the survey.

Legislative Update

External Relations Director Charlie Evans and Student Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards provided an update on the start of the 45-day legislative session. Canyons employees and patrons are encouraged to sign up for a daily email update on the education-related bills that are being discussed on Capitol Hill. Canyons’ bill tracker, sent by the RSS feed from the CSD website, is created by CSD legislative-affairs team. With the daily update, Canyons aims to keep patrons and personnel up to date with the bills being debated by state lawmakers. Board member Amanda Oaks urged Board members to continue advocating for public education, including reminding constituents that legislators last year passed the state’s first-ever voucher program, the Utah Fits All Scholarship. Oaks said the public should be aware of the tax dollars that are being spent on private education without accountability.

Cottonwood Heights Development Proposal

The Board of Education is considering a proposal to amend a CRDA with Cottonwood Heights. The amendment to the tax-increment financing project would update an existing 2018 agreement in which CSD agreed to defer a part of the property-tax revenue to help launch a business development at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said the increase in the value of the area has jumped from $3.8 million to $56.4 million in 2024 — a 1,368 percent increase. The project, as approved initially. included a hotel, restaurant, a parking structure, and an office building. Single-family homes and multi-family units also are part of the development, but the agreement with CSD did not reduce CSD’s property-tax collection rate of housing units.  The amendment will technically allow the development of 36 condominiums, which would be done by 2029, because the market has cooled considerable and tenants for the office building could not be found.

School Highlights

Brighton High is a place where all students are valued, welcomed, and encouraged to shine, Bengal Principal Marielle Rawle told the Board of Education. Brighton’s academics, arts programs, and athletic teams are among the best in Utah, Rawle said. Last year, Brighton High gave more than 750 Advanced Placement tests and achieved high passage rates in rigorous subjects. Rawle noted the baseball team reached the championships in the spring, the boys lacrosse team won the state 5A title, and this year’s football team played at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in the 5A semifinals. Also, Rawle said, the musical “Matilda” was a big hit and performing-arts students won awards at the Shakespeare competition in the fall.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes of the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 7, 2025; hire and termination reports; student overnight travel requests; purchasing bids; December financial reports; LEA-specific licenses and endorsements; administrative appointments; and Brighton High’s early-out schedule on April 24, 2025.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Brighton High students who attended the 41^st annual Salt Lake chapter NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Day banquet at Grand America on Monday.
• Jordan High graduate Midshipman Thomas Johnson, who sang in a U.S. Navy choir during the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.
• Brighton High tennis coach Natalie Meyer, who was announced last Monday as the National Girls Tennis Coach of the Year.
• Purchasing Director Gary Hansen, one of the first ever employees in Canyons, who is retiring this year after a distinguished career.
• The plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians who responded to facility emergencies in recent weeks.
• Wishes of good luck to the Corner Canyon and Brighton cheer squads at this week’s UHSAA state competition in 6A and 5A cheer.

Commencements

President Amber Shill approved the Board-member speaking assignments for the commencement exercises for the Class of 2025.

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said the legislative Auditor General has sought CSD’s process to create a Strategic Plan. The state office will put it into manuals advising best practices for school districts across Utah, he said.

Board Member Reports

Mrs. Karen Pedersen reported on attending the Utah School Boards Association Conference and discussed a few topics about which she learned and is looking forward to seeing performances at Albion Middle and Hillcrest. The Knights are performing “Singing in the Rain” and the Huskies are doing “Lord of the Flies.”

Mr. Katie Dahle commented on the survey results and thanked the employees for the feedback. She also reported on attending Superintendent Listening Tour meetings with Dr. Robins. Ms. Dahle also wished Dr. Robins a happy birthday for that week.

Ms. Amanda Oaks remarked on attending the USBA conference, noted the school year is half-over, and mentioned she attended Listening Tour stops at Sunrise and Altara elementary schools. She noted the Board’s recent discussions with the Student Advisory Council and her recent Town Hall at Indian Hills. She requested a survey on the elementary school schedule, a report on whether the early-out Friday schedule is achieving its aims. She encouraged the community to attend an upcoming Lunar New Year celebration and the Battle of the Bands at Corner Canyon High and

Mr. Andrew Edtl met with the Alta View elementary student council, which is excited for the school to start the fund-raising “Penny Wars.” The Student Advisory Council also provided feedback, including positive input on the Friday schedule, at a recent meeting.

Mr. Lewis Jackson reported on attending USBA conference, his recent tour of Midvalley Elementary, and his attendance at the meeting with the Student Advisory Council.

Ms. Holly Neibaur expressed appreciation for Superintendent Robins and his work as the district’s leader, remarked on the positive attributes and work ethic of CSD school administrators, and noted the impressive world flag display and parking-lot safety plan at Willow Springs Elementary. She relayed a personal experience with an acquaintance who knew Martin Luther King Jr. She also encouraged the community to recall Dr. King’s legacy.

President Shill said the Board will continue to send thank-you notes to employees for their hard work and reported on Superintendent Listening Tours at Bella Vista Elementary and Albion Middle.