Jan. 29, 2008

• Appointments, Transfers    
        The Board approved the following administrative appointments and transfers:
  
• Katherine Anderson, currently principal at Monte Vista Elementary School, transferred to principal at Lone Peak Elementary School.  She replaces Teri Timpson who resigned.
  
• Tom Little, currently intern assistant principal at Monte Vista and Daybreak Elementary Schools, appointed principal at Monte Vista Elementary School.
  
• Carolyn Bona, currently a Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) intern, appointed as intern assistant principal at Monte Vista and Daybreak Elementary Schools.
  
• Aaron Ichimura, currently a LPP intern, appointed as intern assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon and Herriman Elementary Schools.  He replaces Laurel Lee Pedersen who is retiring.

• Capital Outlay Projects    
        The Board approved capital outlay projects for the fiscal year 2008-09 by a 4-2 vote.  Kim Horiuchi and Sherril Taylor opposed the motion.  John Taylor, executive director of Auxiliary Services, told the Board all District facilities have been reviewed by multi-disciplinary agencies to ascertain the required repairs and renovations. Those projects selected for recommendation at this time meet the Board prioritization philosophy. The estimated budget required to complete the recommended projects is approximately $27 million.
• Peggy Jo Kennett said the Board has established criteria and has a historical process for identifying capital outlay needs.  She said it is a process that has not been political.  She reminded Board members that last year it approved $15 million in renovations on the east side and only $2 million on the west side.  Mrs. Kennett read from the law that allows districts to divide stating “...the school board presently in place is to operate as if no division had occurred.”  She encouraged the Board to follow the process already in place.
  
• Ellen Wallace said since 1992 the Board has approved $168 million in capital projects on the east side and $51 million on the west side.  She said the process established by the Board puts safety as the first priority for capital outlay projects.  She agreed with Mrs. Kennett and said the Board should continue using the process already in place to determine capital outlay projects. 
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff believes the process in place is a good one.  He did not want to distinguish between sides and said the Board needs to do what’s best for the entire District.
• Kim Horiuchi favored distributing capital outlay funding so that 50 percent is spent on the east side and 50 percent on the west side.  She said the most fair way to divide the projects is 80 percent on the east side and 20 percent on the west side since the east side has the oldest schools in need of the most renovations and repairs.  Even though the Board spent more money on the east side this past year, she notes $10 million less was spent.  She expressed concern that twice as much money and twice as many projects were being done on the west side.   Mrs. Horiuchi said her neighborhood school was closed three years ago because it needed too many repairs.  She doesn’t want to see that happen to other schools. 
• Sherril Taylor said the schools in Midvale are in need of repairs and he supported spending equal amounts of money on both sides of the District.  He said all the 2003 bond funds are earmarked for the west side and he would like to see more money spent on the east side.

• Patron Comments
• Betty Shaw of White City told the Board it is losing site of its job for the sake of equality and dollar signs.   She said it shouldn’t matter where a child lives if a capital projects needs to be done in the name of safety.  She said all of the children in Jordan School District are important and all students need to be educated in a safe environment, regardless of what side of the valley they live in.
• Dana Bentley of West Jordan feels the Board has forgotten the west side of the District.  She supports spending capital outlay funding on projects wherever there is the greatest need.  She cited the need for major auditorium improvements at West Jordan High in hopes that it will be as nice as Alta High School’s renovation. 
  
• Pat Casaday of Sandy said the east side schools’ average facility condition index (FCI) is 31 percent and the west side’s average FCI is only 18 percent.  He believes the schools with the higher FCI should be a higher priority for renovations.  He said the proposed recommendation for 2008-09 has 19 projects identified: 12 on the west side totaling $18 million, and seven on the east side totaling $9 million.  He feels the projects should be divided 50/50 and hopes the projects are a consideration as the District’s assets are being divided. 
  
• Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association (JEA), looks forward to working with the Public Education Coalition during the current legislative session.  She thanked the Board for its support in promoting legislation that will benefit public schools and professional educators.  She said she has had a great career in Jordan School District and hopes this legislative session will yield legislation that is good for teachers.

• Board Comments
• Ellen Wallace, who sits on the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation board of directors, said the county is adding additional positions to the Board and hopes Board members will consider suggesting individuals who may want to volunteer. 
• Randy Brinkerhoff thanked schools for sending him copies of minutes from their School Community Council meetings.  He finds the minutes helpful and appreciates knowing what is being discussed at local schools.
  
• Sherril Taylor noted the Utah High School Activities Association is in the process of realigning high schools.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett reported on her attendance at West Jordan High School’s performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”  On Friday she will attend the Utah School Board Association’s legislation committee meetings at the Capitol.  She said it is a good opportunity for school board members to lobby legislators and have their positions heard on proposed legislation related to education.

Terra Linda Elementary    
      Principal Mary Ann Erdmann shared the successes of Terra Linda Elementary School with the Board, including numerous student academic and recognition programs.  Mrs. Erdmann commended the staff for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of students.  The PTA and School Community Council are a tremendous support and coordinate various programs to encourage student achievement and service learning.  The year-round school also houses learning disabled cluster classes. 

Closed, Study Sessions    
      The Board met in closed session to discuss personnel and property.  During study session the Board was presented 2007 test results for the UBSCT, AP and ACT.

— 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