Sept. 5, 2006

Student Travel Policy
     The Board approved revisions to District policy AA414—Overnight Student Travel that now require schools to submit preliminary travel proposals to the area executive director at least 45 days prior to the proposed trip for Board consideration and should be done prior to any discussion or meetings with parents. The Board is also requiring that school administrators clearly define why the educational objectives cannot be met at another location closer to home. In addition, during the meeting with parents, a school administrator or adviser will present the specifics of the trip in writing. The Board also approved granting exceptions for overnight travel to elementary and middle school students when they win a competition supported by the District and qualify for state or national-level competition. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Superintendent's Input
     Superintendent Barry L. Newbold reported the District had a smooth opening to another school year. He expressed appreciation to all who made it successful. He noted that an additional 1,400 students started school today instead of last week. That increase has an impact on allocation of teachers. He said once enrollment numbers level out in the coming days, consideration will be given for additional staffing.

• Patron Comments
• Thomas Walke, a resident of Sandy, urged the Board to oppose any proposed Real Salt Lake soccer stadium community development agency (CDA). He urged the Board to keep the money in the school district where it belongs.
  
• Wesley Hutchins, representing the Coalition for Concerned Parents from Oakcrest and Hayden Peak Elementary Schools, thanked the Board for its written response concerning the construction of a new school to relieve overcrowding at Oakcrest. He also said the coalition e-mailed some 400 parents and asked if any supported the use of District funds to support a Real Salt Lake CDA. The coalition received no such responses. He encouraged the Board to oppose a CDA and keep the public informed on this issue.
  
• Patricia Drake, a teacher at Hayden Peak Elementary, educated the Board about the Core Academy geared at improving instruction and student achievement. She wanted the Board to know that Jordan District teachers value lifelong learning and are willing to pay their own registration fee.
  
• Robin Frodge, president of Jordan Education Association (JEA), said Utah has the highest class size in the country, teacher salaries that are $8,000 below the average pay, and per pupil expenditures that are $3,200 less than the national average. She said in order to guarantee student success, the Board needs to continue lowering class sizes and raising teacher salaries to attract the most qualified teachers. She said school funds should not be siphoned out for business ventures such as the Real soccer stadium. Public schools need to be funded first.
  
• Janalee Tobias, a parent with students at South Jordan Middle and Bingham High, has been researching the impact of RDAs/CDAs since 1998. She was appalled when she learned the developers have been taking money from schools for years. She opposes a Real CDA and said Dave Checketts needs to realize Jordan is a school district not a bank.
  
• Judy Feld, a parent and former teacher, urged the Board to increase salaries for new teachers so they encourage young people to become educators. She expressed opposition to the Real CDA and asked the Board to leave the children’s money for the children.
  
• Gary T. Forbush, a parent with students at Peruvian Park Elementary and Indian Hills Middle, asked the Board to inform the public of any Real CDA terms proposed prior to making a decision. Many taxpayers feel short-changed because they have not had a chance to formally comment on the stadium. He told the Board that as they evaluate Sandy City’s proposal, they need to remember that taxpayers can only expect a 77 percent payback. He said education is a much higher priority than sports entertainment.
  
• Dave Nicholson, a patron of the District whose four sons have all gone through the District, said it is important that the public participate in the process regarding the soccer stadium. He encouraged residents to address the Sandy City Council and comment on this issue. He believes Sandy City needs to be aware of the public’s concerns about the District’s involvement in a CDA.
  
• Kent Hyde of Sandy, who has worked in economic development with West Valley, said it is not true that tax increment financing is the only available method to invest in economic development. There are other methods. He encouraged the Board to oppose a CDA but present financing alternatives to Sandy City.

• Board Comments
  
• Lynette Phillips said there is much misinformation and confusion about proposed funding for the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium. This is not something the Board asked for but rather something that is being proposed to the Board. She encouraged patrons to contact Board members and let their views be heard on this issue. Ms. Phillips said this controversy has opened eyes to the reality of RDAs, EDAs and now CDAs and their impact on taxpayer dollars that are supposed to go to public education. She said the best investment a community can make in a strong economy is to educate the future taxpayers and citizens and make them strong breadwinners. She also reported on her attendance at East Midvale Elementary’s teacher in-service activities and JEA’s meet the candidates night.
  
• Sherril Taylor thanked those who attended the meeting and voiced their concerns to the Board. He reminded the audience that the Board is very concerned about this issue and what it means to students.
  
• Ann Forbush said she has received numerous phone calls and e-mails from patrons on the Real CDA issue and she is encouraging them to circulate petitions opposing the stadium and deliver them to Sandy City Mayor Tom Dolan.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff participated in the Jordan Education Foundation golf tournament that raised $37,000. He also attended the middle school conference, Hayden Peak Elementary’s School Community Council, and Riverton High’s back-to-school night.
  
• Ellen Wallace reported on a recent family trip to California and said she met a high school English teacher who had 30 students. She said large class sizes are even a problem in California. She also shared an experience of speaking to the Salt Lake County Council as a patron and has more empathy for those who come to speak to the Board. Mrs. Wallace also received a brief report from Jordan High Coach Alex Jacobson who accompanied the football team to Valdosta, Ga., to play the nation’s winningest high school team. The coach said it was a tremendous education experience for the athletes. Mrs. Wallace also noted she has received numerous comments from patrons on the Real CDA issue. Not one patron has expressed support for it. She welcomes continued comments on this issue.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett echoed other Board members about receiving comments from the public on the proposed Real CDA. She said this issue has generated many unsolicited comments. She reported on her attendance at the middle school conference and a recent meeting with the coalition of mayors whose cities are considering forming their own school district. She is also a member of the Utah School Boards Association (USBA) legislative committee this year. Subcommittees have been organized, and USBA is working hard to be more proactive on introducing legislation that will help schools and school districts.

Celebrating Sprucewood
     Principal Christine Webb said Sprucewood Elementary is continuously working to provide a quality education and become the school of choice for its clientele. Sprucewood Elementary was the first Praxis school and is a BYU Partnership school. Balanced literacy and guided reading are used throughout the school, and last year 80 percent of students reached their individual reading goals. This year students are focusing on numeracy and hope to improve their CRT math scores. Parents receive weekly e-mails to keep them informed about the school, and 16 parents serve on the School Community Council.

Closed, Study Session
     The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss personnel, property and potential litigation. During study session, the Board discussed transportation issues, policy revisions and school resource officers.

– Melinda R. Colton, Reporting

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

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

Past Issues of Memorandum