May 8, 2007

• First-Year Teacher Awards    
        The Board recognized the following educators with First-Year Teacher Awards: 
  
• Traditional Elementary: Jeannie Lund, Copperview Elementary School
  
• Year-round Elementary:  Jennifer Utterback, Bluffdale Elementary School
  
• Middle School:  Margaret Jensen, Eastmont Middle School
  
• High School:  Janice Spencer-Wise, Brighton High School
  
• Special Education:  Charlene Duncan, Terra Linda Elementary School
  
• CTE:  Julie Huffman, Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus

• Celebrating Great Teachers
        The 2006 Legislature allocated funds to each school district to honor outstanding teachers.  The following teachers received the Excellent Teaching Award—Celebrating Great Teachers and will receive a $750 stipend:
  
• Alta Area: Susan Colledge, Lone Peak Elementary School
  
• Bingham Area:  Brenda Jeppson, Elk Ridge Middle School
  
• Brighton Area:  Bonnie Despain, Ridgecest Elementary School
  
• Copper Hills Area:  Jonathon Morris, Hayden Peak Elementary School
  
• Hillcrest Area: David Bettinson, Midvalley Elementary School
  
• Jordan Area:  Howard Summers, Eastmont Middle School
  
• Riverton Area:  Laurie Larsen, Butterfield Canyon Elementary School
  
• West Jordan Area:  Stephen Davies, Joel P. Jensen Middle School

• Transfers, Appointments    
        The Board approved the following administrative transfers and appointments:
  
• Howard Griffith, principal of Bell View Elementary School, transferred as principal of Elk Meadows Elementary, replacing Stephen Burnside who is retiring.
  
• Christine Webb, principal of Sprucewood Elementary School, transferred as principal of Bell View Elementary School.
  
• Garth Anderson, principal of Herriman Elementary School, transferred as principal of Sprucewood Elementary School.
  
• Sharon Okumura, principal of Canyon View Elementary School, transferred as principal of Sandy Elementary School.
  
• Michelle Clark, principal of Brookwood Elementary School, transferred as principal of Canyon View Elementary School.
  
• Brent Shaw, principal of Copperview Elementary School, transferred as principal of Brookwood Elementary School.
  
• Jan Tanner, principal of Quail Hollow Elementary School, transferred as principal of Copperview Elementary School.
  
• Noel Grabl, principal at Jordan Ridge Elementary School, transferred as principal of Majestic Elementary School, replacing Cora Jckowski who is retiring.
  
• David Breen, assistant principal at Hillcrest High School, transferred as assistant principal at Alta High School.
  
• Kenneth Spurlock, assistant principal at Alta High School, transferred as assistant principal at Hillcrest High School.
  
• Laurie Brussow, assistant principal at Hillcrest High School, transferred as assistant principal at Valley High School.
  
• Catherine Anderson, assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary School, appointed as principal of Jordan Ridge Elementary School.
  
• Joel Pullan, assistant principal at Daybreak Elementary School, appointed as principal of Herriman Elementary School.
  
• Julie Buckingham, intern principal at Jordan Resource Center, appointed as principal of Jordan Resource Center.
  
• Luann Leavitt, administrative intern at Bluffdale and Herriman Elementary Schools, appointed assistant principal of Oakcrest Elementary School.
  
• Stacy Kurtzhals, administrative intern at Crescent View Middle School, appointed assistant principal at Crescent View.
  
• Robert Kertesz, administrative intern at Joel P. Jensen Middle School, appointed assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen.
  
• Rochelle Norton, administrative intern at West Jordan High School, appointed assistant principal at Hillcrest High School.
  
• Mark Halliday, administrative intern at Riverton High School, appointed assistant principal at Riverton High.
  
• Todd Bird, administrative intern at South Park Academy, appointed assistant principal at South Park Academy.
  
• George Welch, interim assistant principal at Riverton High School, appointed assistant principal at Riverton High.

Parent-Teacher Conferences    
      Superintendent Barry L. Newbold reported an average of 97 percent of parents attended spring parent-teacher conferences at traditional elementary schools, and 98 percent of parents attended parent-teacher conferences at year-round elementary schools.  He recognized the efforts of teachers who go the extra mile to accommodate the needs and schedules of parents.

Student Appeal
     The Board voted to modify the action of the District Appeals Committee in support of the parents’ request. 

Patron Comment
     Stan Holmes, a teacher at Alta High School, believes military recruiters are not being forthright about the downside of military service with students.  He said recruitment literature highlights the positive and glamorous side of the military but ignores the fact that suffering can and does occur.  He asked the Board to review its procedures regarding military recruiters.

• Board Comments
• Randy Brinkerhoff expressed appreciation to those who organized the administrative social.
  
• Kim Horiuchi thanked the Administration for locating alternative fuel engines for the 11 new buses the  Board approved last month.  Mrs. Horiuchi referred to a national story in The Deseret Morning News  that discussed school buses and pollution.  She believes the new buses will be a great benefit to the environment and students.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett attended a West Jordan City town meeting hosted by West Jordan legislators.  She said approximately 80 percent of the questions were related to school issues such as impact fees, growth, tax increases, class size reduction, transportation, and school district equalization.  She was happy to see patrons are so concerned about school issues.
  
• Tracy Cowdell attended Sandy Elementary School’s choir performance and expressed appreciation to those community members who volunteer to direct the choir.  He was impressed the students held a second performance at a local nursing home. 

Bella Vista Elementary
     On behalf of the community and staff of Bella Vista Elementary School, Principal Denis Lyons expressed appreciation to the Board for their newly remodeled school.  The school’s primary focus is literacy and approximately 90 percent of its students are reading on grade level.  In a recent survey, Bella Vista parents said the school has high standards of student behavior, has students who are enthusiastic about going to school, and provides a safe environment.  The school also provides numerous programs to honor students for their outstanding achievements.

 Closed, Study Sessions
     The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss potential litigation, a student appeal and negotiations.  During study session, the Board reviewed the 2007-08 budget, Utah Basic Skills Competency Test student appeals, and the design of the new Eastlake Elementary School.  The Board also met with representatives from the Jordan Classified Professional Association.

— 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