Canyons School District
2415 E. 7600 South
Cottonwood Heights, Utah  84121
(801) 501-1000 phone
(801) 501-1011 fax

Canyons School District Enrollment, Facilities Study Puts Parents In Driver’s Seat

Cottonwood Heights, Utah, April 29, 2009 — Canyons School District parents will gather today to begin a study on enrollment, facilities, and school calendars, with the goal of creating optimal conditions for student achievement in the new school district.

WHEN:                 Wednesday, April 29, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:               Canyons School District Office, 2415 E. 7600 South in Cottonwood Heights

The Student Enrollment Facilities Task Force and its two subcommittees will involve 54 parents representing each Canyons District school and be assisted by a neutral facilitator. Each school selected its representative by nomination and random drawing. Following its study, the Task Force will be asked to present recommendations to the Board of Education.

“This task force is an embodiment of our commitment to community engagement, and will be an invaluable tool for the Board of Education to make community-based, informed decisions that will benefit children in our new school district for generations to come,” Canyons Board of Education President Tracy Cowdell said. “We are grateful for the number of volunteers willing to take on this important task on behalf of our children, and look forward to the detailed and highly informed recommendations to come.”

The Task Force will be divided into an Enrollment Subcommittee and a Facilities Subcommittee to begin the study. Each subcommittee includes 27 parents — one from each of the four high schools; one from each of the eight middle schools; and 15 parents from elementary schools. The subcommittees are scheduled to meet biweekly beginning May 7, and are expected to receive input from their communities to add depth to discussions.

The Joint Task Force will meet biweekly from July 30 to Oct. 22, and begin its work using data gathered by the subcommittees. The Task Force will be made up of 22 parents serving on the subcommittees, and include four high school, four middle school, and 14 elementary school representatives. Teachers, classified employees, school administrators, and business and local leaders will provide information to the committees upon request. Canyons School District’s Public Engagement Coordinator Susan Edwards will serve as a district liaison to the committee.

“The work of the Task Force will be in-depth, detailed and meticulous, with each member essentially becoming an expert on the critical issues impacting our new school district,” Canyons Superintendent David Doty said. “The work will not be easy. But we believe this data collection will serve as a foundation for a data-driven and exemplary education system, and ultimately create a blueprint to best address the needs of the school district. I commend and thank the task force members for so graciously offering to serve in this capacity.”

The meeting schedule and other Task Force information will be posted at www.canyonsdistrict.org.

About Canyons School District
In November 2007, voters in Alta, Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Midvale and Sandy created the first new school district in Utah in nearly 100 years.  The seven-member Board of Education, sworn in July 15, 2008, adopted the name Canyons School District following a public naming contest. Canyons School District will begin offering services July 1, 2009.  

Jennifer Toomer-Cook
Director of Communications
Canyons School District
2415 E. 7600 South
Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
Office: (801) 501-1015
Cell: (801) 631-3484
www.canyonsdistrict.org