Oct. 16, 2007

• Board Opposes District Split
       The Board voted 4-3 to adopt a resolution opposing a District split, stating, “The Board of Education encourages parents, patrons, municipal, county, and state leaders to support an undivided Jordan School District and its ability to provide students with services, opportunities and supportive infrastructure which are uniquely available and in great variety and breadth because of the size and diversity of the District’s student enrollment.”  Kim Horiuchi, Sherril Taylor and Tracy Cowdell opposed the resolution.  A copy of the resolution is available at www.jordandistrict.org/board/resolution.pdf.           
  
• Ellen Wallace, who asked that the Board reconsider its neutral position, said the Board did not discuss the issue thoroughly before it voted to adopt a neutral position.  She questions how dividing the District will benefit students and what it will do to specialized programs and schools.  She worries about the impact it will have on the District’s 10,000 employees.  She also expressed concern about the $144 million in start-up costs to create new districts.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett expressed four concerns:  the loss of educational services for students, property taxes that will double or triple, the loss of an underlying bond rating that will result in higher taxes for both districts, and duplication of services.  She said the Board did not discuss its neutral position at length and appreciated the chance to express her viewpoint.  She quoted from a University of Utah study that states smaller districts do not produce more effective school boards or higher student achievement.  The study concludes those things can be accomplished regardless of the size of the district.  Mrs. Kennett said her biggest concern is providing educational services for all students in the District.  She said these concerns outweigh the possibility of increased local control. 
  
• J. Dale Christensen said that as a result of more information and better understanding, he supports the Board changing its position.  He thanked the Board for cooperatively working together to send out an objective question/answer document and hopes it educates voters about this issue.  He said the Board should oppose a District split in an effort to protect the integrity and quality of education for students Districtwide.  Although Board members represent specific precincts, they are the governing body for Jordan School District and represent the total District.  A division is contrary to the 100-year history of the District, he said. 
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff, who represents the largest and fastest growing precinct in the District, said he would be remiss if he did not support the resolution.   He worries about the programs that will be lost if the District is split and the impact it will have on the cities he represents.
  
• Sherril Taylor issued the following statement:  “I would like to make a statement regarding the proposed resolution presented by some members of this Board.  I don’t question the motives or intent of those who would support this or those who drafted it.  I would only say that because of the varied populations that this Board services, and in the best interest of presenting information to those varied populations the majority of the Board wisely voted to take a neutral position regarding the potential split of the District.  I think that it was a wise decision when we adopted this position and I still do.  I would counsel those who may have changed their minds regarding this issue, as well as others issues, to put more time and thought into their deliberation and decision making.  This flip flopping on the issues is eroding the confidence of our employees and our patrons in general.  We recently put a lot of time in on a set of questions that is now in the hands of our patrons.  The document states that ‘The Jordan Board of Education has officially taken a neutral position.  The following information is provided to give parents, students, taxpayers and employees answers to questions about the status and effect of dividing Jordan School District.’  I believe that it is inherently wrong now to change the position of the Board regarding a potential split.  This, in my estimation, will erode any confidence regarding the public with respect to the questions and answers in this document.  I am sure a position change would cause the patrons to perceive the questions and answers to be biased, slanted and consequently not worth review.  If the Board remains neutral, then I believe the patrons will study the questions and answers and garner what valuable information is contained in the document.  I further believe that if the public will systematically study the issues and then reflect on the information in the ‘Windows’ document they will make the right decision.  Therefore, I reject this resolution and will vote no regarding it, and encourage the Board to maintain a neutral position.”
• Kim Horiuchi said her perception of how the Board adopted a neutral position is different from that of Mrs. Wallace.  She said the Board has discussed the issue since January.  She is saddened to see this resolution is now being considered just three weeks before the vote.  She believes the resolution will do the opposite of its stated objective and will send a message to east-side patrons that their views and desires don’t matter.  She said the Board is not unifying a District by taking sides.  Mrs. Horiuchi said the Board should not try to influence public opinion by taking a position.  She reminded the Board it is illegal to use public funds to influence the public on this issue.  She believes if the Board wants to meet the needs of the entire District, then the only position it can take is one of neutrality.
  
• Tracy Cowdell said this is the most important issue the District has faced in its 100-year history.  While he has his own personal opinion on this issue, he feels the Board should maintain a neutral position.  He said the Legislature has created this problem and has failed to address critical issues.  He too reminded the Board it is illegal to use public funds to promote its position.  He said there isn’t much the Board can do and recommended it stay out of the fight.  He expressed his admiration for Jordan School District and says regardless of the outcome, the Board is committed to doing the best it can for students.  He said parents who favor the split have unreasonable expectations and down the road they will have all all the same concerns they have now.   He said it will be business as usual, just a different district.  He is bothered by the fact that west-side patrons cannot vote on this issue and the fact that no one is taking about what is best for students.  People are looking for a silver bullet and he said the answer is to increase public education funding.  There are no shortcuts to chronic underfunding, he said. 

Bond Issuance, Sale
      The Board approved a resolution to confirm the sale and issuance of $196 million in general obligation school bonds to Merrill Lynch & Co. of New York at the interest rate of 4.115 percent.  This is an exceptional rate in today’s market, said the District’s financial adviser James Matsumori.

Administrative Appointment
      The Board approved the appointment of Steve Hall, currently a director of Development at Utah Valley State College, as director of the Jordan Education Foundation.  He replaces Marty Nielsen who retired. 

• Five-Star Winners           
        The Board of Education announced the winners of its 2007-08 Five-Star Award Employee Recognition Program. The program honors outstanding employees for the exceptional contributions they make to the District, their schools or their departments. The awards are given annually to 10 loyal and dedicated employees who further the Board’s vision to “provide a quality education for all students.” In addition, two schools are honored for outstanding public relations.  This year’s winners receive $2,500 and will be honored at a recognition banquet Nov. 2.
  2007-08 Five-Star Award Recipients
  
• Year-round Elementary Teacher:  Mary Barton, special education, Crescent Elementary
  
• Traditional Elementary Teacher:  Susan Henrie, literacy facilitator, Ridgecrest Elementary
  
• Middle School Teacher:  Jennifer Van Haaften, U.S. history/language arts, Butler Middle (Mrs. Van Haaften is also Jordan District’s 2008 Teacher of the Year.)
  
• High School Teacher:  Carolyn Stevens, medical assisting instructor, JATC, West Jordan Campus
  
• Certificated At-Large Employee:  Joanne Hampton, mentor teacher specialist, Special Education Department
  
• Classified Employees:  Patty Christensen, user support technician, Information Systems Department; Mirsa Joosten, District translator/interpreter, Alternative Language Services; Dyke Nelsen, lead person, Plumbing Department; Mark Nelson, head custodian, District Office.
  
• Administrator:  Mary Bailey, principal, Copper Hills High
  
• School Public Relations:  Crescent Elementary and Riverton High Schools
  

• Policies Revised
        The Board of Education approved revisions to the following policies:
  
• DP311, Evaluation of Certificated Personnel:  Added a definition for a retired provisional educator.
  
• DP340, Jury Duty:  When an employee is subpoenaed as a witness in court for District-related business in which the employee is party to litigation or is called for jury duty, any amount paid to the employee for service as a juror or as a witness, excluding mileage, will be deducted from the employee's regular pay, or at the employee’s option, he/she may retain the jury duty stipend and forfeit any payment from the District.
  
• DP373, District Post-Retirement Benefits:  Certificated employees who have retired and are then rehired will not be placed on a step greater than Step 9.
  
• AS63, Student Eligibility for School:  The local school educational team consists of a school administrator, parent(s)/legal guardian(s), teacher(s), and guidance personnel. 
  
• AS93, Open Enrollment (School Choice): The parents(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be notified of the right to appeal the decision of the school administrator to the Board of Education.

Proposed Boundaries           
      The Board will vote Nov. 6 on proposed boundary changes for Bell View and Crescent Elementary Schools.  The District Administration recommends changing the existing east/west boundary between the two schools along the UTA Railroad to a new boundary along State Street. 

• Patron Comments
  
• Felicia Boothe questioned why the Board would consider changing its neutral position on a District split just days after taxpayers received a question/answer document in the mail.  She asked the Board to act in a courageous way and retain a neutral position and allow citizens of the cities to vote and avail themselves of the democratic process in place. 
  
• Tyler Wilko from Cottonwood Heights told the Board it should take a position of neutrality and let voters make the decision on this issue.  In the end, he said voters are the most capable of determining what is in the best interest of their children and their community.
  
• David Muir from Cottonwood Heights said the Board’s attempt to change its position is disrespectful to a fair process.  Shifting demographics of the District make it difficult for the Board to serve everyone’s needs.  He said this issue is not about saving tax dollars it is about more local control and meeting the needs of east-side schools.  
  
• Tom Belchak thanked the Board for publishing an objective question/answer document on the potential District split.
  
• Kristy Johnson, PTA president at Midas Creek Elementary School, is saddened she has no voice on an issue that will greatly impact her family, her children and her community.  She said she will sit by and watch the vote take place on Nov. 6 without any recourse.  She commended Jordan School District and the quality education it provides students. 
  
• Rick Olsen from Riverton is concerned about what a district split means for his children and grandchildren, especially since he will not have a vote.  He questioned what will happen to teachers since the law provides no guarantees after the first year of operation.  He urged the Board to step up to the plate and take a stand opposing the District split.  He said the Board’s neutral position tells the west-side people they don’t matter.  
  
• LuAnne Gustafson, PTA president at Eastmont Middle School, attended the Board meeting where the Board adopted a neutral position.  She said she was shocked when the Board instantly took a vote without any kind of discussion.  She said it is not fair the west-side does not have a voice on an issue that impacts their children.  She does not want to split a district that does so well at meeting the needs of students.  She suggested that if parents want to have a greater voice in their childrens’ education they should volunteer in the classroom or be active in the PTA, PTSA or School Community Council.   
  
• Kim Searle, a parent from West Jordan and a teacher at Copper Hills High School, reminded the Board it represents a huge number of constituents who live on the west-side of the District.  She expects her Board member to keep her area’s best interest at heart and to do what is best for students, teachers and their communities.  She said the only way the west-side will be represented is if the Board opposes the District split.  
  
• Wendy Brown, a South Jordan parent and counselor at Copper Hills High School, countered Mrs. Horiuchi on several points and reminded Board members they are the educational leaders for all students.  She said it is cowardly not to take a position on such an important issue.  She urged the Board to oppose the District split.
  
• Rick Miranda from Sandy asked the Board to place a moratorium on cell tower installations at schools until it has studied the harmful effects on students.  He believes the insignificant amount of money a school receives is not worth the potential risks children may be exposed to. 

• Board Comments
• Mr. Cowdell supports the idea of having the Board review its cell tower policies and procedures.  He also asked the Board to be proactive and consider adopting a policy limiting what is available in school vending machines.  In light of the State Board of Education’s discussion on this issue, he thinks the Board should ask the State Board to allow districts to set their own guidelines.  He also reminded the public the Board opposes vouchers and encourages voters to vote no on the referendum. 
  
• Mrs. Wallace appreciated the discussion on the District split and hopes it encourages people to study the issue thoroughly.
  
• Mr. Brinkerhoff reported on his attendance at Bluffdale Elementary School’s student opera, West Hills Middle School’s Reality Town, a Riverton City meeting concerning the District split, and a Utah School Boards Association (USBA) meeting.  He also expressed appreciation for the years of service given by Marty Nielsen, retiring director of the Jordan Education Foundation.   
  
• Mrs. Horiuchi expressed appreciation for the tour of South Park Academy and the opportunity to see the programs the District provides inmates at the Utah State Prison.  She also valued the chance to attend the National Federation of Urban Suburban School Districts (NFUSSD) Conference in West Virginia.
  
• Mrs. Kennett reported on her attendance at the School, Family and Community Connections workshop, the South Park Academy tour, the NFUSSD conference and a USBA board of director’s meeting.    She encouraged everyone to vote on Nov. 6 and have their voice be heard.
  

Brighton High           
      Principal Rebecca Laney, along with the student body officers, highlighted the accomplishments of Brighton High School including distinguished academic programs as its Model United Nations and student publications.  Brighton has one of the largest EdNet programs in the District which allows students to take a variety of college courses.  Brighton students have been recognized statewide in athletics and the arts.  Last year the school raised more than $61,000 for three charitable causes.

Closed Session           
      The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss personnel and property. 

— 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