Nov. 23, 2004

Hamilton Family Honored
      The Board of Education awarded a certificate of appreciation to the Cletus and Sharon Hamilton family for their donation of 10.53 acres of property in Riverton for a future school. The property is valued at nearly $1 million. The Board announced it will be the site of the Kauri Sue Hamilton School. The school will offer the same services currently offered at Jordan Valley School in Midvale which provides an education for students ages 5-22 with multiple severe disabilities.

Financial Report
      Ray Bartholomew, an auditor from Squire & Company, reviewed the District's annual audit. Representatives from the company spent approximately 500 hours reviewing financial records throughout the District. The Board adopted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report ended June 30, 2004.

Boundaries Approved for New Middle School in Herriman
      The proposed boundaries for the new middle school in Herriman, scheduled to open in the fall of 2005, were approved by the Board. The boundaries will redistribute students from South Hills Middle School to the new middle school. Herriman and Foothills Elementary students will attend the new middle school. The school will open with about 700 students.

School Calendars Adopted
      The Board approved the traditional and year-round school calendars for 2005-06. The 2005-06 traditional calendar begins Aug. 29, 2005, and ends June 7, 2006. The 2005-06 year-round calendar begins July 26, 2005, and ends June 30, 2006. The Board also adopted tentative school calendars for 2006-07 and 2007-08. The 2005-06 calendars will be posted on the District Web site later next week (www.jordandistrict.org).

Policies Revised
     • A8—Public Participation at School Board Meetings: The Board approved revising this policy so it aligns with current Utah code and practices. The policy now allows patrons to sign up to speak at a Board meeting until 15 minutes after the meeting begins. It also provides a more detailed description of items that may be discussed in Closed Sessions as per Utah code.
     • D211—Community Relations: The Board approved updating this policy to align the community relations objectives of the District with the Office of Communications' Integrated Communications Plan. It also more clearly outlines the Superintendent's responsibility for community relations.
     • AA437—Parent Involvement and School Community Councils: The Board approved modifications to this policy that brings it into compliance with federal law.

Superintendent's Input
      Superintendent Barry L. Newbold provided the Board with a report on the secondary parent-teacher fall conferences. Middle schools had a 69 percent attendance and high schools had a 50 percent attendance.

Patron Comment
      Region 6 PTA Director Shauna Richards invited Board members to join the PTA. Membership is only $5. She expressed appreciation to the Board and administration for their support of the PTA.

Board Comments
     • Ellen Wallace commended Alta High students for their performance of the musical “Les Miserables.”
     • Randy Brinkerhoff attended “Seussical the Musical” at Brighton High and applauded the production and the involvement of elementary students.
     • Ann Forbush reported on attending West Jordan High's Veterans Day assembly. She said it was a touching experience and was a good history lesson for the students.
     • Peggy Jo Kennett reported on South Jordan Elementary's dedication.

New Elementary Boundaries
      Kerrie Naylor, executive director of the Bingham K-12 Feeder System, presented the proposed boundaries for the new elementary school now under construction in the Daybreak development in South Jordan. The school is scheduled to open for the 2005-06 school year. She was assisted by boundary co-chairs Lance Anderson and Tina Shaw from the Monte Vista Elementary community and Michael Pulsipher from the Rose Creek Elementary community. The new boundaries will take a portion of students from both Monte Vista and Rose Creek. The Board will vote on the boundaries at its Dec. 7 meeting.

Policy Review
     Superintendent Newbold recommended the Board clarify a portion of AA419—Student Conduct and Dress to more clearly state its intent on the wearing of military uniforms and insignias. The statement now reads “Students shall comply with the laws that govern wearing military uniforms and insignias (Title 10, USC §771-772 and Army Regulations 670 1 §29-4).” The Board will vote on the policy at its Dec. 7 meeting.

Celebrating East Sandy Elementary
      East Sandy Elementary Principal Rick Dumont shared his school's successes with the Board. The school's main goals are to improve student reading and writing by better focusing its resources to help students struggling in those areas. He expressed appreciation to the Board for providing literacy specialists in all elementary schools this year. East Sandy has a new orchestra program, an early-morning choir, the Stacey Bess poetry and writing workshop and a month-long artist in residence. The school has a high volunteer rate and an active PTA and School Community Council.

Closed, Study Sessions
     The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss personnel and property. The Board also met in study session prior to the regular meeting to receive an update on Sandy Elementary, discuss policy revisions and review the proposed moratorium schools for 2005-06.

– Melinda R. Colton, Reporting

Board of Education
Peggy Jo Kennett, President
Ellen S. Wallace, Vice President
Randy S. Brinkerhoff, Member
Jane C. Callister, Member
J. Dale Christensen, Ed.D., Member
Ann C. Forbush, Member
Lynette Phillips, Member

Barry L. Newbold, Ed.D., Superintendent
D. Burke Jolley, Deputy Superintendent for Business Services

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