Board Summary, Jan. 7, 2025

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

Oath of Office for New Board Members

As its first order of business for the 2025 year, the Canyons Board of Education welcomed two new members to its ranks and the return of a third. Taking their Oaths of Office on Jan. 7 were: Jackson Lewis, the new representative for District No. 1 and the youngest elected official in Utah; Katie Dahle, a businesswoman and community advocate who will represent District No. 3; and Holly Neibaur who won re-election to the District’s seven-member governing body and will serve District No. 7 for another four-year term. The oaths, administered by Draper City Mayor Troy Walker, were witnessed by friends and family members.

New Board Leadership

Following a brief reception held for newly-elected Board members, the Board elected new Board leadership. Amber Shill will continue as President and Andrew Edtl and Amanda Oaks will, again, serve as Co-Vice Presidents. 

Innovation Center Industry Focus-Group Report

Over several weeks in late 2024, Canyons District hosted six focus groups with industry leaders, moderated by Patricia Jones, a Utah businesswoman and former state Senator. Participating in the focus groups were business leaders representing a range of fields, including: technology, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, biomed, biotech, entrepreneurship, health manufacturing, health care, animation and 3D design, drone technology, robotics, retail and customer service, higher education, post-secondary technical, STEM, AI, finance, makerspace labs, and Talent Ready Utah. In summarizing the focus group findings, Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards noted how aligning education with industry ensures students graduate with durable skills and knowledge directly relevant to current and future workforce demands. This not only makes students more employable, it gives industries access to a ready-to-work talent pool. Focus group participants are excited about the innovation center and many volunteered to help the District achieve its ambitious goals. Among the skills they said are needed in the workforce are solid presentation and writing skills, resilience in the face of failure, curiosity, and an ability to collaborate.

Strategic Plan: High-Quality Learning

Instructional Supports Department Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward reported on progress with high-quality learning initiatives, including a proposal to further embed AVID instructional practices in CSD’s schools. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), is a research-backed college-prep program offered at 7,500 schools across the country, including five in Canyons: Eastmont Middle, Mt. Jordan Middle, Glacier Hills Elementary, Sandy Elementary, and Jordan High School. About 300 Canyons students are currently enrolled in the program, electing to take rigorous Advanced Placement Courses and follow the AVID curriculum, which emphasizes reading, writing, research, collaboration, note-taking, and study skills. Eastmont Middle was recently recognized as a National AVID Demonstration School. AVID alumni are four times more likely to graduate than their peers, and testing shows they reach college-readiness benchmarks at rates far above the national average.

Legislative Update

External Relations Director Charlie Evans and Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards reported on bills and budget priorities anticipated to surface during the 2025 General Session of the Utah Legislature.

School Highlights

Remarking on several initiatives that are making a difference at Alta High, Principal Ken Rowley referenced a new attendance policy, which has contributed to a decrease of 18 percent in unexcused absences. The school has also enforced the appropriate student use of cell phones, which is helping to create an academically-focused culture at the Home of the Hawks. About 70 percent of the more than 970 Advanced Placement Exams administered last year resulted in passing scores. 

Recognitions

The following were recognized for the achievements:

• All CSD teachers for their science-of-reading contributions to Canyons District’s No. 1 rank in reading proficiency. The Utah State Board of Education recently released a report showing the percentage of each Utah school district’s third graders who were reading on grade level at the end of last year — and Canyons was the No. 1 district in Salt Lake County. We are among the top in the state, too!
• Two Canyons District alumni who competed for the coveted Miss America Crown: Miss Utah, Paris Matthews, who is a graduate of Brighton High School; and Miss Washington D.C. , Katie Ann Powell, who is a Hillcrest High graduate.
• Eight CSD grapplers who competed in the 24th annual Ross Bronson Utah All-Star Duals meet at Utah Valley University.
• Eastmont Middle’s Daren Wagner, a PE teacher who was recognized by KUTV and Volkswagen Southtowne as KUTV’s December Teacher of the Month. 
• CTE teacher Pamella Saltmarsh and her “Shark Tank” student competitors at Draper Park Middle who were featured by CNBC as part of a national showcase of hands-on learning.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes of the Board meeting on Dec. 3, 2024; hire and termination reports; student-overnight travel requests; and November financial reports. 

Board Member Reports

Ms. Holly Neibaur extended a warm welcome to new Board members. She remarked on the importance of the legislative priorities adopted by the Board and said she is excited about the direction the District is headed. “It’s time to roll up our sleeves and go to work,” she said.

Mr. Jackson Lewis thanked District Office administrators and staff for their support as he transitions to his new role as a member of the Canyons Board of Education. “It’s an incredible team here that I’m super incredible to be a part of,” he said.

Mr. Andrew Edtl thanked all the schools for the work they put into holiday performances before Winter Recess. He also welcomed new Board members and expressed gratitude for being able to continue to work with the newly re-elected Board member Holly Neibaur.

Ms. Amanda Oaks also welcomed new and return members to the Board. She also invited patrons to a Town Hall Meeting on Jan. 14, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the Warrior Room at Indian Hills Middle.

Ms. Katie Dahle remarked on how excited she is to embark on a new adventure as a Board member. “Canyons has such a great vision, and the direction it’s going, being innovative into the future, it’s an exciting time to be here and be a part of the team,” she said. She also mentioned how much she enjoyed the production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Park Lane Elementary before Winter Break.

Ms. Karen Pedersen echoed others’ remarks in welcoming newcomers to the team. Ms. Amber Shill thanked new and returning Board members for running for office in service to their community. “I really feel like we focus on doing what’s best for our students, our families, and our employees. That’s just a big unifying factor, and I’m excited, as others have said, to get to work,” she said. She also remarked on an upcoming Utah State School Boards Association Conference.