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

Oath of Office

Upon reciting the Oath of Office, Kristine Millerberg succeeded her husband, Mont L. Millerberg, on the seven-member Canyons Board of Education. The widow of the recently deceased longtime member of the CSD school board was sworn into her post by President Amber Shill during a ceremony in the Board Chambers at the District Office. Following the unexpected death of Mr. Millerberg on Feb. 23, 2024, the Board of Education followed state law to choose a new representative for District 1. Kris Millerberg was among the nine patrons of District 1 who applied to be considered for the seat, the term of which will end Dec. 31, 2024. She was chosen by unanimous vote after the March 19, 2024, required public interview process. In her first remarks after taking the Oath of Office, Mrs. Millerberg, who worked for 33 years as an educator, thanked her family for “their encouragement and support as we discussed what it would mean to all of us if I could succeed my husband on the Canyons Board of Education. My husband devoted countless hours to representing Midvale schools and it’s my privilege to be carrying on his legacy.” Mrs. Millerberg also said schools are “in the business of hope.” While it’s not easy work, she said, it is vitally important. She pledged to be collaborative in her decision-making and responsive to the needs of the District’s stakeholders. 

Administrative Appointments

In a move to give elementary schools more administrative support, the Canyons Board of Education approved five new assistant principal positions to be filled through a restructuring of current assignments. Three District-level special education specialists also will be assigned to elementary schools with Academic Behavior Support classrooms. They are: 

• Michelle Snarr, an assistant principal at Copperview Elementary, will serve as assistant principal at both Jordan Valley School and the Life Skills Academy. 
• Replacing Snarr at Copperview will be Sierra Segura, an assistant principal at Draper Park Middle.
• Ashley Lennox, an Instructional Supports Department specialist, will serve as Assistant Principal at Sprucewood Elementary.
• Leslie Robinett, an Instructional Supports Department specialist, will serve as Assistant Principal at Granite Elementary. 
• Angela Oviatt, an instructional coach, will be Assistant Principal at Silver Mesa Elementary.

These appointments are effective with the start of the 2024-2025 school year.In addition, the following ABS Behavior Specialists will be assigned to schools with special education units.

• Paige Jolley will be located at Bella Vista Elementary.
• Kelsey Giles will be located at East Sandy Elementary.

A new hire replacing a recent resignation will be located at Quail Hollow Elementary.

Proposed Bell Schedule

To accommodate a new elementary school schedule that will give teachers more protected planning time, the Board of Education is considering a new bell schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. The proposed schedule adds 10 minutes to the end of each school day Monday through Thursday. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox said the one exception is Midvale Elementary, which is projected to begin 10 minutes before this year’s start time. This brings the start and end times of Midvale Elementary closer to those of nearby Midvale Middle. If the Board approves the proposed bell schedule, six elementary schools will end at 3:45 p.m. As elementary runs are shorter, Wilcox said, all students will be dropped by about 4:15 p.m.  The Board will continue to review bell schedule proposals.   

Strategic Plan Update

Over the past 18 months, Canyons District educators and administrators have developed Thrive Time, a character education and life-skills program. Student Wellness Services Director Dr. Brian McGill, who helps oversee the progress of initiatives in the “Human-Centered Supports” focus area of the Strategic Plan, said principals indicate Thrive Time is making a difference in schools. Teachers, parents, and students also have been surveyed and the feedback was incorporated into the program, he said. McGill also provided updates on the number of referrals to the District Support Team and the District Case Management Team for behavior infractions and Safe School Act violations. McGill noted the uptick in the need for direct services from school counselors, social workers, school nurses, school psychologists, and therapists. CSD also is focusing on the physical and mental wellness of employees. 

Budget Update

Utah lawmakers approved a 5 percent increase to the Weighted Pupil Unit, the state funding formula for public education, and a 6 percent increase for the Educator Salary Adjustment. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox also reported on the $560,000 increase in TSSA funding, $157,000 in LAND Trust funding, and add-ons for special education, and at-risk students. As part of the budgeting process, Wilcox proposed a review of staffing ratios at secondary schools in the coming years and the enrollment numbers in Continuing Education classes. Wilcox also noted that CSD’s certified rate has gone down over time as the assessed valuation of properties go up.  

School Highlights

Alta View Elementary students told the Board of Education the school raised more than $9,000 in a charity fund-raiser, enjoy learning a global language in the Spanish-English Dual Language Immersion classes, and participating in activities in the Playworks leadership program. Leaders of the School Community Council and PTA also indicated the school thrives because of its inclusive climate.

Board Committees Updates and Discussion on Leadership

The induction of a new member required reassignments to committees and other Board-member responsibilities, including commencement-address duties.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes for the March 12, 2024 meeting of the Board of Education; the minutes for the March 19, 2024 Board meeting; the hire and termination report; purchasing bids; student overnight travel requests; February financial reports; and a Kindergarten early-out proposal for the first week of the 2024-2025 school year. Administrative appointments also were approved. 

Canyons Strong Employee Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Alta View Principal Scott Jameson, winner of the Sandy City “Mentor of the Year” award.
• Albion teacher Nicole Rudes, a Utah finalist in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program.
• Brighton High math teacher Kristen Reuter, winner of the George Schell Award.
• Midvale Middle’s Robert Violano, for being selected as the University of Utah’s 2024 Outstanding Public School Teacher.
• Instructional Supports Department’s Bernice Allen for working with CSD schools to bolster multilingual learner instruction.
• Draper Park Middle teacher Nate Ricks for winning the Innovative Teacher Award from the Utah Coalition for Education Technology.

Policy Update

The Board of Education is reviewing changes to the policies governing military leave; the provisional status of administrative personnel; and termination of employment. 

Superintendent and Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins lauded the recent performance of the Canyons Symphony Orchestra. He reported on attending the Unified Sports Special Olympics exhibition basketball game at Hillcrest High. Among the attendees at the game included Utah first lady Abby Cox and several other first ladies of visiting state governors. 

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox welcomed Mrs. Millerberg to the Board of Education. 

Board of Education Member Reports

Ms. Karen Pedersen reported on attending the performance of the Canyons Symphony Orchestra, the Unified Sports Special Olympics hoops exhibition at Hillcrest, Eastmont Middle’s “star-gazing party,” and an elementary school’s penny fund-raiser. 

Mrs. Nancy Tingey said she also attended the star-gazing party. She reported on the recent Arts Consortium meeting and the Unified Sports Special Olympics exhibition.

Mrs. Kris Millerberg thanked her fellow members for their confidence in her ability to be a part of the Board and reported on attending the “James Plays” at Hillcrest High. She also lauded the aim of the Unified Sports Special Olympics program.

Mr. Andrew Edtl remarked on the Alta View students’ “School Highlights” presentation, asked the Board to discuss a uniform way of notifying the public of Board member Town Halls. He noted his first Town Hall will be April 16 at 6 p.m. at Mount Jordan Middle. He spoke in favor of the proposed military leave policy. 

Mrs. Holly Neibaur welcomed Mrs. Millerberg to the Board. She also encouraged the Administration to review how to provide more personalized learning approaches, including keeping children in schools close to their neighborhoods.  She asked for an agenda item about a scheduled Corner Canyon High construction project. 

President Shill thanked Sandy police for providing security at Board meeting. She reported on attending PTA and SCC meetings and the Unified Sports Special Olympics exhibition hoops game at Hillcrest High.  She thanked Mrs. Pedersen and Mrs. Tingey for heading up the Op-Ed that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. She also welcomed Mrs. Millerberg to the Board.