Dec. 4, 2007

Legislative Bonus Pay
     The Board authorized $575,000 in additional funds so full-time certificated and administrative employees can receive the full $1,000 legislative bonus in their December paychecks.  Full-time classified employees will receive a $500 bonus. 

New School Boundaries           
     The Board approved the boundaries for the new Eastlake Elementary School in South Jordan.  The new boundaries will affect students from Daybreak, Elk Meadows, Monte Vista and Welby Elementary Schools.  The school is currently under construction at 4341 W. Isla Daybreak Road (11200 South) and will open for the 2008-09 school year.  The new boundaries are available on the District Web site at www.jordandistrict.org/general/boundaries/eastlake.

• Gifted, Talented Committee
       The Board voted 6-1 to accept the “delayed delayed” start to implement the recommendations of the Gifted and Talented Committee. Because of the upcoming division of the District, the Board adopted the “delayed delayed” start, with full implementation by July 2010. The recommendations are available on the District Web site at www.jordandistrict.org/general/alpscommittee.htm. The Board directed the committee to study a two-tier approach that could include both gifted and accelerated magnet programs.
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett opposed the motion. She said research shows that having gifted magnet programs and continuing accelerated learning in local schools works best for students.
  
• Tracy Cowdell expressed appreciation to the committee for its work and felt it was important to examine the validity of the entire ALPS program. He supports additional study of a two-tier magnet program and anticipates more recommendations will come from that study. He said the delayed delayed start allows new school boards enough time to make decisions on the program.
  
• Ellen Wallace supports studying the two-tier magnet program in more detail and looking at what other districts are doing for gifted and accelerated students.
  
• Kim Horiuchi also supports studying the two-tier magnet program because so many parents want it to continue. The Board has a two-year time frame to study the issue and she feels it will be good information for two new school boards.
  
• Sherril Taylor likes the two-tier magnet approach but is concerned about putting accelerated learners back in the local school classroom. He believes it is unreasonable and will burden teachers. He said it is a logical approach to study it for the next two years.
  
• J. Dale Christensen expressed appreciation to the committee for its thorough report and recommendations.

2008-09 Calendars Approved
     The Board adopted calendars for the 2008-09 school year.  Traditional classes begin Aug. 25, 2008, and end June 5, 2009.  Year-round classes begin July 28, 2008, and end July 3, 2009.   The Board directed the Calendar Committee to consider including Veterans Day as a recess day in future years.

Scholarship Awarded
     Jessica Wright, a kindergarten teacher at Monte Vista Elementary School, was recognized as a recipient of the Kennecott Land Sustainable Community Scholarship to earn her master’s degree.  Kennecott Land awards $5,000 scholarships annually to educators who teach in a South Jordan public school and are interested in pursuing an advanced degree at Western Governors University.

• Patron Comments
  
• Jennette Criddle, an ALPS parent, suggested a pilot program for gifted students.  She asked that it start next year and become permanent in two years.
  
• Cheryl Izatt, an ALPS parent, said the ALPS program needs to be renamed because it is misleading to accelerated-learner students.  She understands there are two styles of learning but hopes the Board maintains some kind of program for accelerated learners.  She believes teachers will require proper training to meet the learning styles of both kinds of students.
  
• Ken Criddle, a parent from South Jordan, expressed concern over how much the Board is spending to build new schools.  He encouraged the Board to be more frugal in its new construction.
  
• Brad Hamilton, a parent from Sandy, expressed frustration over a committee meeting held to discuss overcrowding at Sprucewood Elementary.  He previously presented the Board with a petition from concerned parents who asked that the issue be discussed.  He felt the committee did not adequately consider their concerns. 
  
• Robin Frodge, president of the Jordan Education Association, thanked the Board for rectifying the amount of the Legislative bonus and funding the additional amount.

• Board Comments
• Mrs. Wallace expressed disappointment about the upcoming District division.  She encouraged East-side taxpayers to hold their city leaders accountable for the promises they made during the election.  She will not make decisions based on East-side or West-side, but rather what is best for the students and employees Districtwide.  Mrs. Wallace also congratulated Randy Brinkerhoff on being elected to the Riverton City Council.
  
• Mr. Cowdell expressed concern over the shortage of bus drivers and custodians and suggested the Board study the issue.  He said the positions need to be filled, which may require increasing compensation. 
  
• Mr. Brinkerhoff reported on attendance at the following: Daybreak Elementary School’s literacy meeting, the Salt Lake-Tooele Applied Technology College employee appreciation luncheon, Riverton High School’s band program, several School Community Council meetings, Sandy Elementary School’s Halloween parade, the Milken Award presentation at Butler Middle School, the Five-Star banquet, Reality Town at several middle schools, Copper Hills High School’s musical production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and a panel discussion with Riverton High School students requesting Veterans Day be a school holiday.
  
• Mrs. Kennett attended the Utah Education Policy Forum, the Governor’s Education Summit, West Jordan Elementary’s School Community Council meeting, Joel P. Jensen Middle School’s Reality Town, the Board’s focus group with association leaders, West Jordan High School’s musical production of “Oliver,” the Veterans Day panel discussion with students at Riverton High School, West Jordan Middle School’s reading program, and Terra Linda Elementary School’s literacy night.             

Jordan High School
     Principal Robert Dowdle told Board members he believes Jordan High School is one of the finest comprehensive high schools in the state.  He said the combination of supportive parents and dedicated teachers has produced some impressive results.  The students and staff are proud of the school’s numerous academic and athletic accomplishments.  Its comprehensive school improvement plan provides professional development on literacy and numeracy strategies and also focuses on smaller learning communities.  Mr. Dowdle also outlined the school’s numerous activities and projects done during its Centennial celebration this year.

Closed, Study Sessions           
     The Board met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss personnel and property.  During study session the Board reviewed the Gifted and Talented Committee recommendations.

— 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