| Legislative Review A sagging economy left the Utah Legislature with $340 million less than anticipated—a shortfall that put a damper on what many hoped would be a seven-percent or larger boost to public education spending. In the end, legislators funded a $1,700 raise for teachers and a 2.5-percent increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU). A plan to equalize school capital funding statewide failed, but legislators voted to adjust and increase funding for current Capital Outlay Programs (SB48). SB48 also requires school districts in Salt Lake County to levy a property tax beginning in 2009 that will be allocated to districts based on total enrollment and enrollment growth. The net effect of this tax will be a pooling of tax revenue from Granite, Murray, Salt Lake City and the new east-side school districts to assist the remaining Jordan District with capital costs. Gov. Huntsman signed this bill into law March 17. Lawmakers also made changes to the law allowing the creation of new school districts (SB71). Current Jordan Board of Education members are not required to run for positions on the new Board (see Division Update, left). SB71 also extends the deadline by which the transition teams are to determine the allocation of existing district property, requires transition teams to prepare a written report by Aug. 1 setting forth the property allocation and requires an existing school district to make money available to the remaining district and the new district. On other education-related issues, legislators: • funded a home-based education technology program for pre-school children (SB2); • funded a salary supplement of $4,100 to qualified math and science teachers (SB2); • funded a stipend for special education teachers and speech pathologists of $200 per day for up to 10 additional voluntary work days (SB2); • funded grants to school districts to provide increased compensation for math and science teachers by providing opportunities for an extended school year (SB2); • funded grants to allow school districts to hire full-time arts specialists at 50 schools statewide; • funded $1,000 bonuses to new teachers hired for the 2008-09 school year (SB281); • rejected a plan to shorten the six-month post-retirement wait period for reemployment with the same agency for licensed educators (HB96); • did not fund class-size reduction in grades K-3 (HB194); • passed a resolution urging schools to close on Veterans Day (HJR4); and • passed legislation allowing charter school students to participate in extracurricular activities not offered by the student’s charter school at the public school within whose boundaries the student resides (SB36). |
District Division Update
Transition teams for the remaining Jordan District and the new school district continue to meet on a regular basis to determine allocation of assets between the two districts. In addition, the Interlocal Committee for the new school district (made up of the mayors of Salt Lake County, Cottonwood Heights, Alta, Draper, Midvale and Sandy) has hired John Bennion, former superintendent of the Salt Lake and Provo School Districts, to chair an education transition team. The team also includes Rickie McCandless, former associate superintendent of the Salt Lake City School District, and Sandra Petersen, former assistant superintendent of the Davis County School District.
Additional information, including Transition Team meeting agendas/minutes and a link to the new school district education transition team Web site, is available online at www.jordandistrict.org/division.
Science Fair Winners
At the fifth- and sixth-grade Jordan District Science Fair held at Daybreak Elementary, 124 winners were chosen from 309 entries. These winners will now compete at the Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair held at BYU March 26. The winners are from the following elementary schools: Alta View, Bell View, Brookwood, Canyon View, Columbia, Crescent, Daybreak, East Sandy, Edgemont, Foothills, Granite, Herriman, Lone Peak, Jordan Ridge, Midas Creek, Monte Vista, Mountain Shadows, Oakdale, Peruvian Park, Quail Hollow, Ridgecrest, Riverton, Silver Mesa, South Jordan, Southland, Sunrise, Terra Linda, Westland, Willow Canyon and Willow Springs.
Author Visits School
Award-winning author Carolyn Meyer discussed writing and research, answered questions and signed books for about 75 students at Elk Ridge Middle March 7. Meyer writes historical fiction, including books in the Young Royals series (e.g. Beware, Princess Elizabeth and Mary, Bloody Mary) and most recently Duchessina, a novel about Catherine de' Medici. The author’s visit was arranged by Delia Carruthers, media coordinator.
Team Reads to Elementary Students
The Jordan High boys’ basketball team recently visited Alta View Elementary to read to students. The activity was in celebration of “Read Across America Day.”
Classified Employee Award Nominations
Nomination forms are now available online for Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Classified Employee Awards. Nominations must be submitted online by a principal or director no later than April 18. Ten employees will be selected for this award. Each Outstanding Classified Employee receives $1,000 from the Foundation. The nomination form is available at www.jordandistrict.org/foundation/classified_nom.htm.
Seeking Film Reels
The Curriculum Technology Specialists are looking for empty film reels and film cans (8mm-16mm). If you have some of these in your building and would like to be rid of them, please contact Kelly Dumont, (801) 567-8758, kelly.dumont@jordan.k12.ut.us.
No Electronic Current Next Week
Due to the Spring Recess, there will be no e-mail or online Current next week. The monthly print issue will be available on payday as usual. The next electronic issue of Current will be sent by e-mail and available online April 1. Please submit items for this issue by March 28.
Five-Star Recognition Award Nominations
Do you know a Jordan District employee who deserves extra recognition? Winners of the Jordan Board of Education Five-Star Award receive $3,000, are recognized during a Board of Education meeting and are honored at a recognition banquet. The purpose of the annual program is to honor outstanding employees for the exceptional contributions they make to the District, their schools or their departments. To be eligible, individuals must be full-time employees and have a minimum of five years experience in Jordan District. Additional criteria and nomination forms are available on the District Web site at www.jordandistrict.org/award. The nomination deadline for the 2008-09 awards is May 23.
If you previously submitted a nomination for someone who did not win a Five-Star Award, please feel free to nominate them again. Anyone can nominate an employee in one of six categories: elementary, middle and high school teachers; certificated employees at-large; classified employees; or administrators. In addition, two schools are honored for public relations efforts. For more information, contact the Office of Communications, (801) 567-8162.
Foundation Fundraising Breakfast
The Jordan Education Foundation recently hosted a fundraising breakfast at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus. About 140 community and business leaders attended the event which was expected to net nearly $20,000 in donations. The Foundation funds programs such as at-risk student scholarships, teacher mini-grants, low-income medical assistance and District employee awards. For more information about programs and ways to donate, visit www.jordaneducationfoundation.org.
District History Available
A few remaining copies of The First 100 Years: A History of Jordan School District are still available. The books are $5 each and can be purchased at the District Office reception desk.
Safety Tip: RiskLine Assists Those in Crisis
Are you a parent whose child is having difficulty connecting at school? Are there family issues where your child may need extra support? Do you see the early warning signs of drug use or depression?
Are you a student having problems in relationships? Are you stressed about family issues? Do you have something that's making your life difficult and you're just not sure where to turn and whom to trust?
Are you a teacher with a student who needs help with anger management or social skills? Do you have a student who is not responding to your efforts to reach out?
Established in 1988, RiskLine is a 24-hour service for students, parents or employees to access guidance and referrals for counseling support. Individuals can also call with anonymous referrals for threats of violence or weapons in schools. RiskLine is staffed by counselors in the Student Intervention Services Department 24-hours a day, seven days a week: (801) 565-RISK (7475).
Safety Tips are provided by the District Safe Schools Committee to remind teachers and staff about ways to keep our schools and work areas safe for students and employees. Additional information about safety in Jordan District is available at www.jordandistrict.org/general/studentsafety.
National Technology Presentation
Kent Thompson, technology teacher at West Hills Middle, recently presented at the International Technology Educators Association (ITEA) National Convention. His session explored the use of paper to demonstrate principles of engineering. Activities included the design and construction of paper cubes, “magic books” and other non-linear motivational manipulatives.
JCIRA Meeting
The Jordan Council of the International Reading Association (JCIRA) will hold a reading workshop for narrative and informational text during its meeting March 10, 4:30-6 p.m. at Mount Jordan Middle. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
Test Writers Needed
The Social Studies/History Department is writing test items for fourth- and fifth-grade social studies tests for the new core. There are two dates in March and two dates in April for teachers to participate in creating these items: March 8 and 29 and April 23 and 24. Participants receive a stipend (or paid substitute if necessary) and lane-change credit. Please contact Pam Su’a, (801) 567-8320, pamela.sua@jordan.k12.ut.us, if you are interested.
Missing Books
Four books were left in the District Professional Development Center the week of Jan. 21. If you were there that week, please check your materials, bags or boxes to see if they were put there accidentally. They are BYU library books and the student teacher who left them must return or replace them. They are bright green and are all part of the “Real Science” series for second grade. If you have them or know anything about them, please contact Joy Campbell, (801) 979-6627.
Employment Opportunities
See current job openings posted by the Human Resources
Department at www.jordandistrict.org/hr.
To submit an item for Current, send an e-mail to Michael Kelley at michael.kelley@jordan.k12.ut.us or contact him at (801) 567-8337.