• Board Approves Gifted/Talented Recommendations
        The Board approved the recommendations of the Gifted and Talented Task Forces presented by Teri Mattson, gifted/talented consultant for the District, and Kerrie Naylor, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Staff Development.
  
• G/T Middle School Task Force Recommendations:
  
  • Have a purposeful implementation of strategies and services to meet the needs of gifted/talented students through a continuum of services.
    
  • Form a middle-level gifted/talented committee charged with the responsibility of developing support materials delivery options, and accountability standards for the continuum of services model.
    
  • Have each middle school articulate and publish strategies and services implemented at their respective school.
    
  • Have all middle school students assessed in 2009 for placement in the 2009-10 ALPS program; students applying for 8th and 9th grades will be assessed for instructional purposes only.
    
• G/T Identification Task Force Recommendations:
  
  • Use multiple criteria from multiple sources.
    
  • Include quantitative and qualitative assessment.
    
  • Be proactive in recruiting candidates for a pool.
    
  • Repeat assessments over time to identify additional students.
    
  • Promote inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness.
    
  • Use identification data to drive instruction.
    
  • Develop procedures for evaluation of the process.
    
  • Communicate with parents and teachers about the characteristics of giftedness.
    
  • Utilize an appeals process for students who may not have qualified.
    
•       Board members asked for clarification based on questions they have received from parents.

• Board Approves Revisions to Policies
        The Board approved changes to the following policies as required by state law.
  
• AS60—Student Accounting Procedures
  
• AS61—Student Records
  
• AS63—Student Eligibility for Schools
  
• AS87—Immunization
•      The Board approved revisions to D207—Calendar Development, because of a change in Board policy.

Superintendent’s Report
      Superintendent Barry L. Newbold reported the Office of Communications has provided two sessions of customer service training for support staff, with another session to be held Sept. 30. The District has trained approximately 140 employees in the first two sessions and anticipates an additional 80 employees in the final session. Because the response has been overwhelming, the District is considering scheduling a fourth session in October. Those attending include school and department secretaries and assistants, custodians, switchboard receptionists, and classified staff from all District departments. Based on the response to this training, the Superintendent said it has been very timely and well received.

Patron Comment
      Alexandra Eframo asked where she can get factual information about Jordan School District.

• Board Comments
  
• Carmen Freeman attended a School Community Council meeting at Fort Herriman Middle School and was impressed at how knowledgeable they are about individual students and their issues.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff recommended newer Board members attend one of the School Community Council training sessions held on Oct. 7 and 15, 7 p.m., at Bingham High School in the media center. He also shared a letter from Eastlake Elementary School and its community council on school trust funds.
  
• Leah Voorhies thanked the Administration for providing the new Board member orientation which helped her understand each department and its responsibilities. She also attended Oakcrest Elementary School’s fair, and the Jordan Education Association’s family barbecue.
  
• Rick Bojak attended Riverside Elementary School’s vehicle day which included different vehicles from throughout the community. He thanked the community councils for letting the Board know about its meetings as well as the bulletins they send to him. He expressed appreciation to the principals who send thank-you cards to the Board and recognized three local restaurants who have provided certificates for meals used as incentives for the children.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett reported on her attendance at the legislative education interim meeting. She asked the Superintendent to explain what the District is doing to move toward adaptive testing. She also attended a session of the customer service training and thanked the Communications staff for its efforts with this training.

Closed, Study Session
      During closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property and potential litigation. During study session the Board discussed student transportation and revisions to articles and bylaws for the Jordan Education Foundation.

– Steven Dunham, Assistant Director of Communications