May 22, 2007

Huntsman Winner
      The Board recognized Jan Vanderhooft, a chemistry teacher at Brighton High School, as a recipient of the 2007 Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education.

• Classified Employee Awards    
        The Jordan Education Foundation presented the following individuals with the Outstanding Classified Employee Award:
  
• Shelly Axtell, secretary, Planning and Student Services
  
• Scott Bateman, head custodian, West Jordan Middle School
  
• Lynn Boswell, head custodian, Transportation Department
  
• Stefanie Campbell, head secretary, Bluffdale Elementary School
  
• JoAnna Katsos, head secretary, Valley High School
  
• Joy MacKay, retirement clerk, Payroll Department
  
• Jeana Maxwell, instructional assistant, Jordan Resource Center
  
• Sandi Ross, instructional assistant, South Valley School
  
• Toni Soeffker, District secretary II, Alternative Language Services
  
• Joyce Spencer, hall monitor, Riverton High School

UBSCT Appeal Granted    
      In a 5-2 vote, the Board granted a student appeal to the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT) and the student will be awarded a regular diploma.  Board member Tracy Cowdell said the student passed the reading and writing portions of the test as a sophomore, but failed the math test by one point after taking it five times.   After researching Utah Code on this issue, he believes the Board has the discretion to grant the appeal.  The student has received four years of math credit and Mr. Cowdell believes there is some inaccuracy in the exam.
      Board member Kim Horiuchi read the rules established by the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) regarding implementation of the UBSCT.  She said the very existence of an appeals process gives the Board authority over which type of diploma can be awarded.  “The fact there is an appeals process gives the Board some discretion.  It’s important to do this and it will help clarify what the role of the Board is in the appeals process,” she said.
      Board member Sherril Taylor said some students have trouble testing, especially on high stakes tests, yet perform well in the classroom.  “I don’t think I’ve seen an appeal this close or a student who has tried so hard,” he said. 
      Superintendent Barry L. Newbold reminded the Board that according to USOE rules, appeals to the UBSCT may be granted by the Board for “testing irregularities and testing inaccuracies.”  He said the training the District has received from USOE indicates that if a student does not pass all three portions of the UBSCT with a minimum score then he/she does not qualify for a regular diploma.

• Patron Comments
• Neal Bergstrom, a parent from Midvalley Elementary School, said the school houses two diagnostic pre-kindergarten classes.  The school is anticipating an increase in kindergarten and first-grade students next year and it will need the space.  He asked the Board to consider moving the diagnostic pre-kindergarten classes to another school.  The District is also considering adding another Head Start class at Midvalley and he reminded the Board the school is not declining in enrollment and the ability to house special programs may not be possible.
  
• Betty Cowdell, a special education teacher assistant at East Midvale Elementary School, expressed concern over moving the special education cluster at the school to make room for additional kindergarten classes.  She believes the District does not consider the fact that some schools are better equipped to handle special education students than others.  Students have a hard time adjusting to so many changes and moving to another school adds to their problems, she said.  Mrs. Cowdell said it’s hard for special needs students to gain ground in the area of social interaction when their environment in constantly changing. 

• Board Comments
• Randy Brinkerhoff reported on his attendance at the Jordan Education Foundation recognition banquet, the District’s retirement dinner for employees, the career and technical education teacher of the year luncheon, and the School Community Council luncheon at Riverton High School. 
  
• Tracy Cowdell attended the School Community Council meeting at Copperview Elementary School and is anxious to discuss council members’ concerns with the Board. 
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett reported she is chaperoning the West Jordan High School choir on its trip to New York City.
  
• Sherril Taylor thanked Mr. Cowdell for leading out on the student UBSCT appeal.  He worries that sometimes individual students are overlooked.  Granting this one appeal will matter to one student, he said.  He was grateful the Board discussed the issue at length and hopes they will consider more appeals in the future.

Park Lane Elementary
      Principal Karen Medlin shared the accomplishments of Park Lane Elementary School, including winning  the Presidential Physical Fitness award for the State of Utah for 11 consecutive years.  Literacy is a strong focus at Park Lane and 90 percent of students scored in the proficient range on the CRTs.  Additional literacy instruction in small group settings for at-risk students is offered.  Monthly collaborative meetings are held with every grade level, the literacy facilitator and the principal, where they discuss student achievement and guided reading levels and identify new strategies for student success.

Closed, Study Sessions
      The Board met in closed session prior to and following the regular meeting to discuss property, potential litigation, personnel, negotiations, UBSCT student appeals, and an employee insurance appeal.  During study session, the Board discussed the 2007-08 budget.

— 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