Aug. 7, 2007

Board Compensation
     The Board of Education voted to hold a second public hearing Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. to discuss its compensation increase.  Kim Horiuchi suggested Board members not exercise the health insurance cash-out benefit until the District studies the feasibility of allowing employees the same benefit.  If employee groups are allowed the option of cashing-out their health insurance benefit, Mrs. Horiuchi said Board members could opt out of insurance at the same rate as employees.  The Board voted against her motion.  Board members Sherril Taylor, Randy Brinkerhoff, Peggy Jo Kennett and Ellen Wallace said they do not want their compensation tied to employee negotiations.  They said their compensation should stand on its own merit.  Mrs. Horiuchi said the two need to be linked so it will force the issue to be studied and will open doors for future employee negotiations.  Mrs. Kennett stated the Board has received extensive public input and she is disappointed the Board could not amend its compensation immediately.  Board President J. Dale Christensen said state statute requires the Board hold another public hearing to amend its compensation.  Mrs. Kennett favors eliminating the annual consumer price index (CPI) adjustment and the health insurance cash payout.  In addition to the insurance payout, Mrs. Wallace said the CPI adjustment and compensation increase need to be discussed further. 

• Appointments, Transfer
       The Board approved the following administrative appointments and transfers:
  
• Maggie Cummings, currently assistant principal at Midvale Middle School, appointed as mathematics/science consultant in the Curriculum and Staff Development Department
  
• Carolyn Gough, currently assistant principal at Bingham High School, appointed secondary language arts consultant in the Curriculum and Staff Development Department
  
• Lynn Allred, assistant principal at South Hills Middle School, transferred to assistant principal at Bingham High School
            The following administrative interns were announced for the 2007-08 school year:
  
• Vance Allred, Jordan High School
  
• Sheldon Russell, West Jordan High School
  
• Mark Stanley, South Hills Middle School
  
• Tom Little, Daybreak/Monte Vista Elementary Schools

New Policy Approved    
     The Board adopted a new District policy, AA447—Out-of-District Student Enrollment as Part-time Students and Participation of Out-of-District Students in Jordan School District Activities.  The new policy outlines procedures for out-of-District students who want to enroll as part-time students in Jordan District schools to attend classes and/or participate in Jordan School District sponsored extra- and co-curricular activities. The policy also follows Utah High School Activities Association rules.

Student Appeals
     The Board voted 5-1 to uphold the decisions of the District Appeals Committee concerning two student appeals.  President J. Dale Christensen opposed the motion.

• Patron Comments
  
• Gary Martensen, president of the Jordan Classified Professional Association, thanked the Board for scheduling another public hearing to discuss its compensation increase.  He encouraged the Board to study offering employees a health insurance cash-out incentive.
  
• Bonnie Despain, a retired teacher, commended the Board for its decision to revisit the compensation issue.
  
• Gay Quinn, a teacher, thanked the Board for revisiting its compensation decision.  She said the Board cannot justify giving themselves a cash-out insurance option when teachers are not given the same benefit.  She said morale is at an all-time low and the Board’s recent change in compensation was the final straw for many.   She reminded Board members they knew when they were elected they would never be adequately paid for the time they spend fulfilling their Board responsibilities.
  
• Katherine Wilson said she has high respect for the school district but was disappointed by the Board’s action to increase their pay.  She said the Board’s compensation increase is disrespectful to teachers who are not paid adequately for the hours they work.
  
• Gina Knowles, a teacher, thanked the Board for scheduling another compensation hearing.  She said the July public hearing was held in the middle of the summer when there were no patrons in the schools to see the notice, and when most employees were not in schools.  She believes the compensation was excessive and the Board should not have benefits different from employees.
  
• Carol Stuhff, a teacher, thanked the Board for revisiting its compensation issue. She said it is incomprehensible and unfair the Board would vote to give themselves a package employees do not receive. She urged the Board to change the health insurance and CPI options.  In light of low morale and teacher shortages she said it is the wrong message to be sending to employees.
  
• Sue Dickey is happy the Board is holding another hearing on the compensation issue.  In light of the political climate, she said the Board members showed poor judgement by giving themselves a $9,000 pay raise.  She believes the Board should pay the same health insurance premium employees pay, otherwise they are giving themselves cash on the back of employees. She said their decision was selfish, unfair and an unwise use of public dollars. 
  
• Kathy Hilton expressed her disappointment with the Board’s compensation increase and is pleased it is holding another hearing.  She said Board members should never give themselves anything they are not willing to give employees.  She said the Board and employees need to be partners not adversaries.
  
• Shirley Pierce said the Board’s compensation increase is staggering.  She reminded the Board they are part-time elected officials.   A four-fold increase is too big, she said.
  
• Barbara Carlton, a teacher, said she is accustomed to receiving disrespect for her profession.  The Board’s recent compensation increase has left her disturbed and disheartened more than anything else.  She hopes the Board doesn’t just discuss the issue again but actually makes some changes.  She opposes the insurance payout and the automatic CPI adjustment.  She encouraged the Board to combine its power with compassion for those on the front lines of education.
  
• Sherri Tuckett, a part-time Title I assistant for the past 17 years, expressed her concern about part-time employees no longer receiving paid sick days.  In light of the Board’s recent compensation increase, she said it makes part-time employees feel unvalued.
  
• Jodie Crowder, a teacher who has taught 22 years, shared her feelings about the Board taking a cash payout for its health insurance.  She does not take District health insurance and says it is unfair she doesn’t have that benefit added to her salary each month.
  
• Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association, expressed appreciation for the Board’s decision to hold a hearing on Aug. 21.  She believes the room will be filled again with those wanting to offer public input on this issue.
  
• Terry Bagley, the father of first-year teacher Britney Mendel, read a letter from his daughter who could not attend the meeting.  Mrs. Mendel asked the Board to reconsider its compensation increase.  She said the Board’s job is one of service and as such it is inappropriate for them to grant themselves this kind of compensation package.  She said money should not define the value of their positions.  If Board members felt the previous compensation was not enough, they should have never run for the Board, she wrote.
  
• Ron Fullmer commended the Board for taking a   courageous stand in setting a new compensation package.  He also told the Board they made a poor decision to eliminate the District police department and encouraged them to revisit that decision.
  
• Sharon Squires, an employee in her 23rd year with the District, asked the Board to have the Payroll Department calculate an estimated retirement payout for employees so they can plan ahead for years of retirement without health insurance. 
  
• Mark Petersen, a parent representing community lacrosse and youth football programs, opposes the District’s new rental guidelines for field use.  He said the rental fees will place an unfair burden on students and he fears the programs will lose participants.  He realizes their usage causes damage to the fields and is willing to help make sure the fields are properly maintained.  He asked the Board to reconsider charging community groups for use of school fields.
  
• Annette Weber, a teacher at Indian Hills Middle School who has taught for 30 years, asked the Board to consider options for schools without air conditioning.  She suggested installing ceiling coolers like those in computer rooms, installing coolers in classrooms, and/or initiating an early-out policy for unairconditioned schools in August and June during extreme weather.

• Board Member Comments
• Sherril Taylor thanked patrons for coming to the meeting to share their concerns.  He said public input helps the Board make better decisions.
  
• Ellen Wallace thanked those who attended the meeting and those who have contacted the Board individually.  She said it has helped Board members evaluate why they are on the Board and hopes changes will be made to the compensation package.  She reported on her attendance at the Administrators Leadership Conference, and a recent Jordan Education Foundation board of directors meeting.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff said he is glad the Board is revisiting the compensation issue and thanked the public for attending the meeting.  He commended Sherry Wasden, Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services, for her keynote address at the BYU partnership conference.  He also attended the Administrators Leadership Conference and thanked those who organized the two-day event.  He thanked schools for sending him their newsletters so he can stay informed.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett also attended the BYU partnership conference, the Salt Lake County Council meeting where a potential District division was discussed, and West Jordan City’s feasibility study meeting.  She was disappointed at the lack of public interest in West Jordan’s feasibility study when it impacts so many.  She thanked the public for expressing their opinions on the Board’s compensation and said their input helps shape the Board’s decisions.

Custodial Services    
      LaMar Wanberg, director of the Custodial Services Department, provided the Board with an overview of the department including the Jordan Custodial Operating System, budgets, evaluation reports, process cleaning, cleaning and chemicals, swimming pools, safety and the sweeper program.  The District has  244 full-time custodians and more than 1,000 part-time custodians.

Closed, Study Sessions  
      The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss personnel, property and two student appeals.  During study session, the Board reviewed facility use guidelines, revisions to District policies (retirement, student eligibility and open enrollment), and scheduling additional study sessions in August.

— 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