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

Innovation Center Plans

Proposals, ideas, and suggestions for the programmatic future of the learning center to be housed at the former regional headquarters of eBay in Draper were among the topics entertained by the Canyons Board of Education during a Roundtable discussion. Two major points of discussion was whether the 36-acre campus at 583 W. eBay Way, which the Board is seeking to purchase for $50 million, should be a high school from which students can earn a diploma or a center that has a model much like the current Canyons Technical Education Center, where students “drop into” programs throughout the day after traveling from their home high schools. The 215,000-square-foot building now at the site, which eBay once used to house employees, would be retrofitted to meet the programmatic needs of the center. The aim of the center would be to house Career and Technical Education programs leading to industry certifications and college credit. The Board and Administration seek to partner with industry and higher education to create and maintain programs that will serve as career pipelines in high-demand, high-skills, and high-wage jobs. Per the purchase contract approved by the Board of Education on Aug. 20, Canyons District is acquiring the property at 583 W. eBay Way for roughly half what it would cost to design and build a new high school. The District plans to liquidate property it already owns to pay for the $50 million purchase. Existing capital fund revenue will also be put toward the purchase with the remainder coming from short-term lease-revenue bonds. A public hearing on the proposed issuance of lease-revenue bonds for up to $50 million is scheduled for Oct. 1 and, if current financing plans are realized, could impact the average-priced home $20-$25 a year. CSD plans to layer in payments on the lease-revenue and general-obligation debts to stabilize the impact to taxpayers throughout the years, Wilcox said. Due diligence will be done through Oct. 20, and Nov. 20 is scheduled for a bond sale, according to Business Administrator Leon Wilcox. A closing on the bond sale would be Dec. 16 and the closing on the sale would be later in December. At the request of the Board of Education, the CSD Administration will return to the Board with proposals regarding the center’s oversight and administration, the role of a business liaison, and proposals to begin engaging the public on an official name for the center.

Sale of Property

The Board of Education is liquidating District property to help defray costs related to the contract to purchase the 36-acre eBay property, 16 acres of which are developable. The Board of Education approved the sale of 11.74 acres in Jensen Farms, acquired in 2018 for a future elementary school in west Draper. According to the terms of a sale presented by Business Administrator Leon Wilcox, Ivory Homes has offered to buy CSD’s land for $5,432,960, which is 4 percent above the appraised value. CSD bought the land for nearly $4.9 million. Collier’s, the District real estate broker, has confirmed the home-builder’s offer is reasonable based on comparable sales in the south part of Salt Lake County. The Board decided the sale of land is contingent on CSD’s successful purchase of the eBay property.

Policy Update

A proposed policy governing student participation in extracurricular activities states that CSD would follow rules established by the Utah High School Activities Association. Per the proposed policy, coaches and advisers would be required to act as role models and not engage in unprofessional conduct or criminal behavior. Religious clothing would be allowed to be worn with required uniforms, and students who receive funds through the Utah Fits All scholarship would be given access to activities via participation and associated fees. The proposed policy also calls for a panel to review results of investigations into acts of discrimination, harassment, or bullying during the course of an extracurricular activity. In addition, Assistant Legal Counsel Jeff Christensen said, the proposed policy calls for specific training for coaches. The Board also is considering updates to policies governing the selection and reconsideration of school library materials. 

Strategic Plan

Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins gave an update on CSD’s movement on initiatives related to the four focus areas of the Strategic Plan. The Board asked each focus-area committee to properly identify issues, set agendas, investigate issues, and decide methods for communicating progress. This is to ensure the work of the committees remain aligned to the Strategic Plan. 

Administrative Appointment

As part of an ongoing effort to give elementary schools more administrative support, the Canyons Board of Education approved the appointment of an assistant principal at Crescent Elementary. Kimberly Ranney, who has served as an administrator at Bluffdale and Rose Creek elementary schools, was appointed to serve in this role, effective immediately. This brings to six the number of new assistant principal positions, five of which were filled through a restructuring of current assignments.

Canyons Strong Recognitions

The following were recognized for their accomplishments:

• Human Resources educator recruiters Kelly Tauteoli and Lori Reynolds, for helping CSD start the school year with nearly every teaching position filled. 
• Corner Canyon High’s football team for downing IMG Academy, a nationally top-ranked team. The Chargers bounced to No. 5 in national rankings following the victory.
• Retired homeless-student liaison Connie Crosby, who was honored by The Road Home shelter for her years of service. At her retirement, the shelter renamed the facility the Connie Crosby Family Resource Center.
• Canyons bus driver Jeremy Klung, for placing in the top three at a national bus-driving competition.
• CSD personnel who provided support to the Jordan High community following the death of a student. 

Consent Agenda

The Board of Education approved the Consent Agenda, including the minutes for the Aug. 20, 2024 meeting of the Board; hire and termination reports; student overnight travel requests; purchasing bids; an administrative appointments; the SCC exemption for Goldminer’s Daughter and LifeSkills Academy for the 2024-2025 school year.

School Highlights

Draper Elementary ranks No. 22 among all Utah elementary schools for academic achievement by the U.S. News and World Report. Principal Ronnie Mulqueen pointed out that the home of the Dragons is No. 7 among all elementary schools in CSD and is the No. 1 magnet school in the state for its Mandarin Chinese-English Dual Language Immersion program. In addition to its excellence in a global language, the school values the arts and arts education, Mulqueen said. Valuable pieces of framed artwork dot the hallways of the school, she said, which has the distinction of being the owner of a rare original Norman Rockwell. The painting, titled “Ichabod,” is guarded behind glass in the library. Also, Mulqueen said, the School Community Council last year sponsored a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics night) for students and their parents. 

Superintendent, Business Administrator Reports

Dr. Robins thanked the Region 17 PTA for being the parent-involvement organization of the District. He enjoyed last week’s luncheons and Q&A sessions with parent volunteers. 

Mr. Wilcox commented on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s decision to redirect $1.2 million in federal funds to the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Program, creating a new grant in the Utah grants system. The grant permits school districts to apply for reimbursement of school lunch debt attributable to low-income families. At last count, CSD has about $157,000 in unpaid student-meal debt. 

Board of Education Reports

Mrs. Karen Pedersen reported on attending the Superintendent’s luncheons with PTA and SCC leaders. She also visited schools during Kindergarten College-Ready Days.

Mrs. Kris Millerberg noted the swearing-in ceremony of CSD’s Peer Court. She stated her opposition to legislative actions to change the people’s voice in policy.

Mrs. Amanda Oaks said it’s been a “joyful” start to the school year. Her children participate in tennis and mountain biking, and her attendance at the competitions allows her to cheer for all CSD teams. She attended the Superintendent’s PTA and SCC luncheons and also noted a scheduled upcoming editorial board meeting at which some Utah school board members will advocate for public education.

Mr. Andrew Edtl participated in Jordan High’s annual “topping of the beet” ceremony, noted the Board’s deliberations regarding lease-revenue bonds, and lauded the strength of the state Constitution, which can’t be changed without great effort and public scrutiny. Edtl said his children have truly loved back-to-school time this fall. 

Ms. Nancy Tingey urged citizens to not take for granted the rights given in the U.S. and state constitutions. She also attended the swearing-in ceremony for the Peer Court, several start-of-school SCC and PTA luncheons, back-to-school activities, and several Strategic Plan committees. 

Ms. Holly Neibaur is grateful for parent engagement, CSD’s teachers and administrators, and the direction of Canyons District.

President Shill enjoyed the SCC and PTA luncheons with Superintendent Robins, who did a quick synopsis of the Strategic Plan during the events. She challenged Board members to empower parents to help advance the plan. She reported on attending the UHSAA trustee board meeting. This is a re-alignment year, Shill said, so classifications will be decided for coming years.