March 13, 2007

Boundary Change          
      In an effort to equalize and stabilize enrollments, the Board approved changes to the boundaries of Daybreak and Welby Elementary Schools for the 2007-08 school year.  The existing north/south boundary between the two schools at 11000 South will be changed to a new north/south boundary at 10200 South.  The only exception to the new boundary would be the existing subdivision at Oquirrh Park (4350 W. 10200 South), and extending diagonally southeast to 11000 South and 4000 West, would attend Welby Elementary School.

Kennecott Land Donation           
      The Board approved an agreement with Kennecott Land for a donation of nearly eight acres for a school site in the Daybreak community.  The Board also approved naming the school Eastlake Elementary.  The school is scheduled to open in July 2008 on a year-round calendar.  The Board expressed sincere appreciation to Kennecott Land for such a generous donation.

Voucher Resolution Adopted           
      The Board adopted a resolution supporting the referendum initiated by Utahns for Public Schools, the Utah PTA, Utah School Boards Association, Utah Education Association, Utah NAACP and other groups and individuals to allow voters to decide whether to repeal the state’s new voucher law. 
      Ellen Wallace said Utah cannot support three systems of education—public education, vouchers and charter schools.
      Kim Horiuchi thanked those associations and groups which have organized the referendum effort.  She reminded patrons that the referendum is a grassroots, non-partisan effort.  She encouraged the legislators who are in favor of vouchers to listen to their constituents instead of special interest groups and looking for loopholes in the law.   
      Peggy Jo Kennett said if Parents for Choice are confident in their cause, then they should be supportive of the referendum to see if voters agree.
      Tracy Cowdell reminded patrons that Board members agree to uphold the Constitution when they are sworn into office and he believes the recent voucher law passed by the Legislature is unconstitutional.  He said any voucher given to a parochial school should be unconstitutional, and potential litigation will take money away from public education.  Mr. Cowdell said public funds should not be allocated to private businesses and believes the public will make the right decision if given the opportunity to vote on the issue.
      J. Dale Christensen encouraged the public to become educated on the voucher referendum and do what is best for students. 

New West Jordan School           
      J. Dale Christensen said the Board has received a copy of a letter from West Jordan City Manager Gary Leubbers indicating the city’s willingness to work with the District in getting a new school built in the West Jordan area to relieve overcrowding at Oakcrest Elementary School.  The Board anticipates beginning construction on the new school in the coming months so it can open in July 2008.  Dr. Christensen expressed appreciation to West Jordan City for its expressed support of the new school, and to Oakcrest Elementary parents for their support and understanding while this complex issue has been moving toward resolution.

• Patron Comments
• David Chavez, a parent from Oakcrest Elementary School, expressed gratitude for the new school that will be built. 
  
• Lynae Park, a parent from Oakcrest, said she is excited that a new school will be built.  She also expressed concern about why some Oakcrest students aren’t attending Mountain Shadows Elementary School since it has available space.  She also favored moving the sixth grade to Sunset Ridge Middle School next year instead of kindergarten.
  
• Becky Hutchins, representing Oakcrest’s Concerned Parents Coalition, thanked the teachers and administrators at Oakcrest for helping her daughter have such a positive experience at the school.  She expressed appreciation to West Jordan City and the District for working out many complicated issues to get a new school built in their area. 
  
• Ray Tiffany, Michelle Carr, Nicole Toomey Davis, John Guldney, Dayna Geiger, Wanda Amman, Shawn Lindquist and Lois Peterson, all expressed opposition to the recent change in philosophy of continued admittance into the ALPS program.  Some ALPS students have been denied admission into the program next year because they did not meet a minimum test standard.  Parents say their children are meeting the classwork standards.  Some parents said their students’ self esteem has been damaged and they feel like failures because they cannot continue in the program.  One parent commended the ALPS teachers and said the Board needs to continue the program and work with parents to make it successful.   Another parent said the students are tested too early in the year and their scores are not reflective of how well they are doing by the second term.  The parents asked the Board to not rely on one testing measure, but to give the students the chance to prove themselves.  Most parents felt the denial letters were sent too late for parents to make other arrangements.  Parents asked the Board to allow the students to continue in the program for another year and to allow for parental input and involvement. 
  
• Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association (JEA), and Melinda Peterson, Region 6 PTA director, thanked the Board for supporting the voucher referendum.  Mrs. Peterson said the majority of parents in Jordan School District support the referendum petition.  Ms. Frodge told the Board that JEA members are aware of the District’s petition guidelines and assured the Board the guidelines will be followed.

• Board Comments
• Randy Brinkerhoff was a Dr. Seuss guest reader at Jordan Hills, Daybreak and Herriman Elementary Schools.  He also attended student-led conferences at South Hills Middle School, Sunset Ridge Middle School’s “School to Watch” recognition at the Utah State Office of Education, and the Jordan Education Foundation’s fundraising breakfast.
  
• Kim Horiuchi thanked the ALPS parents for attending the meeting.  She appreciated seeing how involved they are in their children’s education.  She felt they made some valid points that the Board will consider as it discusses the issue further.

• 2007-08 Fee Schedule
        Tom Hicks, executive director of the Brighton K-12 Feeder System, recommended the following changes to the high school fee schedule for the 2007-08 school year:
  
• Place a $200 limit on school officer uniforms
  
• Increase the volleyball and wrestling participations fees to $50 (they are currently $40 and $45, respectively)
  
• Adding a non-District test proctoring charge of $35.  This charge is already practiced but not listed on the fee schedule.
  
•       The Board will vote on these recommendations, as well as minor changes to the middle school fee schedule, at a future meeting.

Celebrating Jordan Valley 
      Principal Rita Bouillon shared Jordan Valley School’s programs with the Board.  Jordan Valley has 258 school-age children from ages 5-22, who have severe multiple disabilities.  The school’s mission is to provide all students an appropriate and individualized educational program.  The staff work hard to improve the quality of life for students and their families.

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, the Draper area school calendars, Columbia Elementary School busing, the Eastlake Elementary School design and revisions to a District policy.

— 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

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