Board Summary, March 4, 2025

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

Bond Refinancing

The Board of Education voted to set into motion the mechanics to refinance $25.5 million on bonds that were issued in April 2015. The Board voted unanimously for a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $25.5 million in bonds. The public approved the issuance of the series of bonds when voters in 2010 cast ballots in favor of a $250 million bond proposal to rebuild and renovate 13 schools. The refinancing plan would retire the bonds in 2031 instead of 2033 and save the District some $900,000. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox will allow more greater financial flexibility beginning in 2032.  Next, Wilcox and other CSD financial personnel will meet with Bond Ratings agencies in April. The “refunded bonds” will be sold in mid-May and close on June 10.

Legislative Update

External Relations Director Charlie Evans and Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards provided an update on the education-related bills being deliberated by Utah lawmakers. Bills of interest include HB473, which would require school districts to have Internet filters for sensitive topics. During the Study Session, Board members indicated they have received feedback from concerned parents about the websites that elementary-level students can access under CSD’s current filtering system, called ContentKeeper, which restricts students from accessing inappropriate content. Currently, parents have the power to decide what level of restrictions can be placed on their child’s Chromebook, and the restrictions should work no matter where the device is being used. However, considering ongoing parent concerns, the Board asked the Administration to begin the process of studying proposals to have a districtwide restriction of websites that elementary-level students can access on Chromebooks. Other considerations, such as whether elementary students should only have teacher-guided use of Chromebooks, also will be reviewed. Information will be presented to the Board during the March 18 meeting. Among the myriad bills being followed include amendments that would expand the definition of “bullying” in schools and proposed legislation that would have severely impacted the ability of the Canyons Technical Education Center to offer cosmetology programs to students who didn’t have a high school diploma. In the final days of the 2025 session, the community can stay updated on the latest bills that could impact CSD schools and programs. Canyons’ legislative team produces a daily email update on the education-related bills being discussed on Capitol Hill.  The session ends on March 7.

New Center for Trade, Technical Training

MHTN Architects presented possible designs for the new innovation center at the former regional headquarters of eBay, which Canyons purchased to serve as the hub of the District’s trade and technical-training programs. In essence, it will replace the current Canyons Technical Education Center. The designs were created after visits to the facility, discussions with CTEC personnel, a feasibility workshop, and industry partner and steering committee meetings. Based on the formal and informal feedback, as well as rigorous study about the needs of the center, the architectural firm is proposing designs featuring spaces that are conducive for industry collaboration, leadership training, and showcasing industry partnerships. An “inquiry lounge,” according to the design proposal, was designed to inspire and foster connections through visibility and recognition between students and the community at large. A gallery to place a spotlight on student work, as well as learning labs and classrooms, idea-exchange and incubator rooms, and faculty forums and student-services offices, also are a part of the proposed designs. The Board continues to discuss the breadth of the programs that will be provided at the new center and what could be provided at CSD high schools. The center’s new director, Reid Newey, who was appointed at the March 4 meeting of the Board, also presented information about programs that could be offered at the Draper-area building. 

Fee Schedule

The Board of Education and Administration continue to collect feedback from the community on published proposed school-fee schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. Canyons is required by state law to present fees to the public. Business Administrator Leon Wilcox told the Board the District, per state requirements, also must set a maximum fee amount per student for each activity, the maximum total aggregate fee amount per student per school year, and a spending plan for every fee. Wilcox said a master fee schedule for the coming school year has been updated to reflect the nominal number of proposed fee increases, and parents were notified via ParentSquare about the proposals. The total amount of fees that student could be charged under the new schedule is $6,000 for all fees for activities. Over the past three years, Wilcox said, two high school students have exceeded a $5,000 cap on fees. One student, who is involved in cosmetology and drill team, exceeded the total this year. The Board asked the Administration to send another informational email to parents about the proposed fee schedule in time to get more comments for the Board’s scheduled March 18 meeting. April 1 is the deadline for CSD to set a fee schedule for the coming year. 

Strategic Plan

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox presented information studied by the subcommittee reviewing issues related to the “Operating Systems” focus area of the Strategic Plan. Enrollment figures of CSD’s Dual Language Immersion programs are being studied. The success of the programs, including Advanced Placement test pass rates and whether the programs serve as an enrollment draw to CSD, will be examined in future meetings. The group also is reviewing how to make Canyoneering Academy more meaningful for busy parents. Parent-Teacher Conference models, elementary class sizes, Internet filtering, cybersecurity, and the planned rollout of Qmlativ—the next generation of Skyward—are among planned topics.

Midvale Highlights

Midvale Elementary Principal Carolee Mackay said the Mustangs have taken ownership of their learning. Every student sets goals, knows what they must learn to achieve them, and are encouraged to talk with their parents about their aspirations. Across grades, Mackay said, Midvale students are experiencing growth. The school also is focused on helping multi-language learners improve their English-speaking and reading skills. Parents and guardians support the school at Parent-Teacher Conferences, multicultural events, STEM and Literacy Nights. The principal said Midvale students still talk excitedly about a field trip to America First Field. There, students met Real Salt Lake players and received a pair of Adidas shoes. Midvale is a special place, she said, full of students who want to learn and faculty and staff who truly care about the progress of students.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Hillcrest and Corner Canyon High drill teams for winning national championships at the Contest of Champions national competition. On the night of the awards ceremony, out of 500 routines, only seven drill teams were invited to perform. Hillcrest was invited to perform its Military routine and Corner Canyon was invited to perform its Show routine.
• CSD’s school social workers for National School Social Work Week.
• CSD schools for earning the No. 1 ranking for Best School Districts in the Greater Salt Lake Area.
• CSD’s Purchasing Department for National Procurement Month
• Hillcrest’s Assistant Principal Katie Campbell for being selected as a “question leader” for the AP Art and Design Reading in Salt Lake City
• Transportation’s Jacki Butterfield for going above and beyond to complete her bus route in a blizzard in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Patron Comment

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

• Allie Terry
• Eric McFarland

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including approval of the minutes of the Feb. 18, 2025, meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; student overnight travel requests; and purchasing bids. 

Policy Updates

The Board of Education voted for updates to policies governing Board governance, fiscal accountability; employee school access; changes to the Small Capital Facilities Committee Membership, and extended military leave or a military stipend. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Dr. Robins thanked employees in the Facilities Department for their efforts to keep our schools clean and operating smoothly. He appreciated the candor expressed during a recent Listening Tour. Dr. Robins appreciates their hard work as demands grow with the campus expansions.

Wilcox also said the Facilities personnel deserve applause for their dedication in the face of challenges. He also congratulated Draper Park AFM Andy Markus for being named one of the top five finalists for the National Education Support Professional of the Year honor.

Board Member Reports

Ms. Holly Neibaur commented on Parent-Teacher Conferences and the input of parents who spoke during Patron Comment about CSD’s Internet-filtering system. She thanked President Shill for asking the Administration to study Chromebook use and Internet-access in CSD schools, especially at the elementary level. She looks forward to the discussion at the next meeting.

Mr. Jackson Lewis thanked Granite Elementary parents who advocated in emails for a two-teacher-per-grade teaching model, congratulated the Hillcrest and Corner Canyon high school drill teams for winning national championships, and commented on student efforts to skirt Internet-filtering systems.

Mr. Andrew Edtl commented on political narratives that have been built at the state level about public education. He encouraged the community to not lose sight of what is true and real, despite the framework of discussion that may be popular in some circles.

Ms. Amanda Oaks noted CSDtv’s coverage of CSD Concerto Nights, Indian Hills Middle’s appearance on Fox 13 as “The Cool School of the Week,” and the input of parents about CSD’s Internet-filtering system. She reported on attending the Human-Centered Supports focus group of the Strategic Plan. At the meeting, the school nurses discussed supporting a pilot IHC telehealth program to aid employees and stem student absences.

Ms. Katie Dahle thanked CTE Director Janet Goble for a tour of CTE programs and the parents of CSD communities for providing input about the Internet-filtering system. She congratulated UHSAA-sanctioned athletics and the students who are participating in club sports, such as hockey. She noted the FTE count was released and asked for patience among school communities as CSD works through issues related to staffing.

Ms. Karen Pedersen thanked Dr. Bruce Eschler, principal at Jordan High, for his dedication, hard work, and wisdom while guiding the Beetdiggers. Eschler recently submitted his resignation to become a curriculum director in the Murray School District. She also reported on attending the Listening Tour at the Facilities Department. She thanked the ESP who go the extra mile for those who are in our schools.

President Shill congratulated the Brighton boys and girls hoops teams for advancing so far through their respective tournament brackets. She lauded Dr. Eschler for his work at Jordan High and said it would difficult to replace him. President Shill commented on attending Bella Vista’s “wax museum” at which students dressed up as a historical character and presented information as if they were at an actual wax museum.