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

Performance, Satisfaction Measures

The Board of Education reviewed performance measures of Canyons schools. CSD Research and Assessment Director Dr. Hal Sanderson told the Board of Education that 2022 was a solid year for Canyons school accountability and student achievement. Sanderson noted that, in the first accountability report since the COVID-19-related cancellation of testing in spring 2020, 31 of 44, or 70 percent, of CSD schools earned “Commendable” or “Exemplary” ratings, which means they earned the top designations for their scores on year-end assessments combined with the trajectory of learning growth and provision of equitable educational opportunities. Sanderson said students with the greatest academic risks — students with disabilities, English-language learners, ethnic minorities, or come from low-income families — are over-represented in the bottom 25 percent of schools, a trend seen statewide. Thirty-four percent of our schools also earned a “critical needs” rating on the academic progress of multilingual students, Sanderson said. In a yearly survey of CSD educators, in which 58 percent of Canyons teachers participated, 63 percent said they were satisfied with their job in Canyons District. While a majority of teachers report satisfaction in their jobs, it was the lowest percentage of satisfied employees since 2016. The year-to-year decrease in overall satisfaction mirrors the drop in Canyons’ retention rate of licensed educators. In 2021-2022, the retention rate of licensed educators was 85.1 percent, a dip from the 2020-2021 tally of 90.5 percent. Additional results from the survey, which was sent at the end of April with a three-week response window:  Eighty-one percent say they share a sense of trust with their colleagues, 77 percent say they feel like they belong at their school, and 77 percent said they can rely on co-workers for support.

Canyons Education Foundation Update

The Canyons Education Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the District, has $1.34,950 in total assets, Development Officer Denise Haycock told the Board of Education. In fiscal year 2022, Haycock said, the Foundation received $719,712 in cash donations and $151,603 in in-kind donations. Fund-raising events garner the most money, which is then funneled back to teachers, students and classrooms in the form of scholarships and Innovation Grants. The annual golf tournament, held in September, earned $98,655, the April gala drew $70,747, and the February “2/2/22” Fun Run allowed the Foundation to collect $12,000. Partnerships and private donations make up a substantial amount of the funds received by the Foundation. Haycock said the scholarship endowment fund stands at $105,895 and the endowment fund reaches $325,924. Already this year, the Foundation has awarded $96,000 in grants to teacher and allocated $10,000 to pay college-application fees for applications submitted during Utah College Application Week. Among other projects, the Foundation supports the annual Teacher of the Year program, and gives $15,000 in cash prizes plus in-kind donations to the educators selected for recognition. Haycock said the Foundation Board is diversifying its membership.

Sex Education Instruction Committee Annual Report

Instructional Supports Program Administrator Jesse Hennefer provided a state-required update on the work done by the Sex Education Instruction Committee. The group, made up of representatives from across the District, meets at least twice a year to review resources, speakers, and curriculum related to sex education, including the maturation program. At the spring meeting, the committee studies county health data. Hennefer also presented information about CSD’s sex-education policy. The Board also was shown data regarding statewide and local adolescent births, countywide counts of child sex abuse victims, and sexually transmitted disease rates in Salt Lake County.

Policy Update

The Board of Education is considering updates to policies governing student conduct on school buses and library-materials selection and review. The policy regarding conduct on a school bus attempts to clarify the driver’s responsibility to maintain discipline and address disruptive or dangerous behaviors, among other issues. The update concerning the library materials proposes a new policy title, adds new definitions for temporary restricted access and permanent restricted access, and seeks to refine the review process for challenged books, plus other suggested changes. At the request of the Board of Education, Legal counsel Dan Harper also presented information about HB374, passed in the 2021 General Session of the Utah Legislature. The bill prohibits sensitive, or indecent, instructional materials in the school setting, including libraries. The Board will continue to review, study, gather input, and discuss the proposed updates.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes for the Nov. 1, 2022 meeting of the Canyons Board of Education; hire and termination reports; purchasing bids; student-overnight travel; October financial reports; and a plan to release school 90 minutes early on March 2, 2023 at all CSD schools.

Recognitions

The following were recognized for their achievements:

• Corner Canyon High’s football team for reaching the 6A championship game
• Corner Canyon’s girls cross-country and volleyball team for being named the Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association 6A Academic State Champions.
• Alta’s Ryan Richards and Corner Canyon’s Ferne Chirachanakul for being named the male and female winners of the state Heisman High School Scholarship.
• Musical-theater students at Alta, Brighton, Corner Canyon, Hillcrest and Jordan high schools for performing in fall musicals.
• Alta High and Brighton Marching Bands for winning first and second place at the regional Bands of American competition in St. George.
• Utah Middle School Principal of the Year Mindy Robison for being honored in Washington, D.C. with her peers from across the country.
• Human Resources Administrator Sally Sansom for being given the “WGU Elevate Award,” the first Utahn to receive the award from the online university.
• Diamond Ridge head secretary Suzanne Hales for winning the Utah Governor’s U-RISE Awards.

The Board of Education also presented a resolution in honor of the Nov. 16 Education Support Professionals Day.

School Highlights

Midvalley Elementary, which this year has transitioned to a Title I status, has seen tremendous growth academically and in community spirit, says Assistant Principal Dr. Dan Ashbridge. He told the Board of Education that Midvalley’s community, with longstanding traditions that include parents who attended the school as children and employees who work for decades there, is melding with the influx of new residents and students. The school enjoys support at Literacy Nights, Math Nights, and social events, such as “Hot Dog Hellos,” and students are regularly recognized for their achievements. Ashbridge praised Midvalley’s teachers and staff for lifting the school’s academic performance, as well as making connections with students. In student surveys, Ashbridge said, 97 percent of students say they feel welcome at the school, have friends, and believe that an adult at the school cares for them.

Patron Comment

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

• Tiffany Smith

School-Year Calendar

The Board of Education reviewed proposed calendars for the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years. In response to requests from CSD educators, the Board of Education discussed a including more teacher-preparation and planning days in future calendars.  The Calendar Committee will take the feedback and continue to work on proposed calendars.

Strategic Plan

Committees working on the implementation of the District’s newly created Strategic Plan updated the Board on their progress in such focus areas as “High-Quality Learning,” “Access and Opportunity,” “Human-Centered Reports,” and “Operations.”

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins noted the faculty-meeting listening tour he’s conducting at schools.  He’s already met with faculty at Mount Jordan and Butler Middle schools and will visit with teachers and staff at Copperview and Lone Peak elementary schools this week.

Business Administrator Leon Wilcox thanked the Insurance Department for its work overseeing the health insurance Open Enrollment period, all employees and contractors who worked on the new Peruvian Park Elementary, and Education Support Professionals for their contributions to the district.  ESP Day is Nov. 16.

Board of Education Reports

Mrs. Amber Shill reported on attending the Innovation Grant “Fun(d) Bus,” Crescent View’s PTA meeting and Brighton High SCC meeting. She also thanked the principals for planning Veterans Day events.

Mrs. Holly Neibaur congratulated CCHS students who earned All-State honors and reported on attending the Student Advisory Council meeting.

Mr. Steve Wrigley appreciates the work done by Education Support Professionals and invited the community to the new Peruvian Park Elementary. The ribbon-cutting is Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Mrs. Amanda Oaks congratulated Corner Canyon on earning a spot in the 6A football championship, applauded the cast of CCHS’s “Crazy for You,” and reported on attending the Veterans Day assembly at Alta High. She thanked principals, teachers and staff for planning Veterans Day activities.

Mrs. Clareen Arnold recognized and expressed respect for all ESP for their hard work and dedication at schools and District Offices.

President Tingey thanked the administrators for the work done to prepare for the meeting, including the reports on the progress of the Strategic Plan. She reported on attending Quail Hollow’s Veterans Day event.