Feb.13, 2007

Appointment
     The Board appointed Cindy Williams-Mitchell, currently a teacher for deaf students, as principal of South Valley School.

• Leaves Approved
        The Board approved the following sabbatical and educational leaves:
        Sabbatical Leaves
  
• Michelle Griner, Willow Springs Elementary School, BYU Leadership Preparation Program (LPP)           
  
• Jennifer Fisher, Jordan Ridge Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Annette Alley, Willow Springs Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Kim Russell, Jordan Resource Center, University of Utah
  
•      Waiting List for Sabbatical Leave
  
• Jodi Roberts, Quail Hollow Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Carolyn Bona, Silver Mesa Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
•      Educational Leaves
  
• Shirley Dawson, Elk Meadows Elementary School, University of Utah
  
• Shelly Karren, Alta High School, Boston University
  
• Christine Drummond, Oakcrest Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Christian Rauch, West Jordan Middle School, BYU LPP
  
• Barbara Yost, Sprucewood Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Timothy Brooks, West Jordan Middle School, BYU LPP
  
• Aaron Ichimura, Butterfield Canyon Elementary School, BYU LPP
  
• Terri Roylance, Canyon View Elementary School, BYU LPP

Policy Revised           
     The Board approved revisions to AS64—Student Retention and Acceleration.  The changes, which reflect the findings of recent research, state that decisions regarding student retention or  advancement should be made only after all the needs and abilities of the students have been assessed and reviewed by the school educational team and are determined to meet the administrative guidelines criteria.  The Administrative Guidelines for Retention or Advancement have also been modified to coincide with the policy.

New Elementary Named
     The Board approved the name Midas Creek Elementary for a new school in Riverton.  The school, located at 11800 S. 4450 West, will open in July 2007 on a year-round schedule.

• Patron Comments
  
• Jimmy Barton, a teacher at Bingham High School, expressed concern about low pay and large class sizes.  He is nearing his five-year teaching milestone and wonders if the sacrifices he is making are worth it.  He asked the Board to fight for educators and express teacher needs to legislators.
  
• Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association, thanked the Board for its efforts during the legislative session.  She said teachers are worried about legislation related to differentiated pay and worry it would erode good working relationships between educators.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Cowdell encouraged administrators and teachers to carefully follow the Board’s overnight travel policy.  He worries that teachers make promises to students and parents before the Board has approved the travel.  Mr. Cowdell reminded teachers that the Board is committed to getting the most it can for public education and is trying to do all it can to make teachers’ jobs easier.  He said public education is under attack by the Legislature.  He has initiated discussions with the Board about hiring a lobbyist to represent the needs and concerns of the District.  He also noted that employee morale is low and that more dialogue needs to occur.  Amidst his concerns, he reminds patrons that great things are happening in Jordan District.  He toured four schools in the Midvale and Sandy area recently as well as the family health clinic at Midvale Middle School. 
  
• Kim Horiuchi said she shares the concerns of teachers.  She has written to legislators and has received no response.  She expressed her gratitude to the teachers and staff of Jordan District for making public education an excellent choice for all children.  She said the only way to solve problems is to work together to get people to listen.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett reported on her attendance at School Community Council meetings at Columbia and Riverside Elementary Schools.  She was also a judge again this year for the high-school level “We the People” competition.  She believes the contest is a great opportunity for students to study the Constitution and hopes it encourages them to become involved citizens.   As a member of the Utah School Boards Association legislative committee, Mrs. Kennett has the opportunity to be at the Capitol every Friday.  She reminds the public that the Board is doing all it can to be heard and is working to get the best it can for public education during this legislative session.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff said he has received positive feedback from the community about the District’s recent Growth Summit presentations.   He reported on attendance at the Riverton/Bingham basketball game and the Jordan Applied Technology Center open houses.  Mr. Brinkerhoff also said he was impressed with the student-produced documentary, “Three Decades of Radio,” that recently aired on KUED.  He has been asked to serve on the Salt Lake/Tooele ATC Board that is studying a potential merger with Salt Lake Community College.  He also attended a site visit to Sunset Ridge Middle School by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades.  The forum is considering naming the school a “school to watch.”  Only 13 schools in the nation have earned that designation.
  
• Ellen Wallace attended Alta View Elementary School’s Jump Start program that was featured on Fox 13-TV, Union Middle School’s science fair and the JATC, West Jordan Campus, open house.  Mrs. Wallace expressed appreciation to Mr. Barton for sharing his frustrations with the Board.  She wanted him to know the Board and the superintendent are actively involved at the Legislature.  She is disappointed the voucher legislation passed and worries that down the road when the economy is not as strong as it is now, that the money will be taken from public education. 
  
• Sherril Taylor said in all his years in education he has never seen such an effort to ruin public education as he has this year.  He is telling patrons how detrimental some of the legislation is to public education.   He is proud of public education and believes legislators turn a deaf ear to school board members and teachers.  Regardless, he said the Board will continue to do all it can for public education.

Ridgecrest Elementary
     Principal Catherine Stoneman said the staff at Ridgecrest Elementary School work hard to create a positive, welcoming climate that fosters achievement and growth for every child.  An  ALPS program was added to the school this year.  Ridgecrest has incorporated an enrichment program and is proud of its new computer lab, balanced literacy library, physical facility, and its science and math manipulative labs.

Closed, Study Sessions
     The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss property, potential litigation and personnel. During study session, the Board reviewed overnight travel and names for the new Riverton area elementary school.

— Melinda R. Colton, Reporting

Board of Education
J. Dale Christensen, Ed.D., President
Tracy Scott Cowdell, J.D., Vice President
Randy S. Brinkerhoff, Member
Kim Murphy Horiuchi, Member
Peggy Jo Kennett, Member
Sherril H. Taylor, Member
Ellen S. Wallace, Member

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

Past Issues of Memorandum