Aug. 26, 2008

District Teacher of the Year
     The Board of Education recognized Karen Gorringe, a sixth-grade teacher at Bluffdale Elementary School, as the 2008-09 Jordan School District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Gorringe has taught the past 21 years, the last 12 at Bluffdale.  Mrs. Gorringe was chosen for her commitment to quality instruction and to her students.  She spends countless hours working with her students at school and in professional activities throughout the District and the state. She said she was honored to be chosen among a vast field of qualified professionals.  Principal Ken Westwood said:  “She exemplifies all that is good about public education.  Karen is a master teacher who skillfully uses a wide array of research-proven techniques and strategies in her classroom to help diverse learners succeed...[she] is a one-in-a-million kind of teacher and person.”
     Colleague Pat Rusk stated in a letter of support:  “Karen is the teacher that every student remembers.  She challenges each student from the moment they walk in the door and constantly prods them to do more than they thought they could.”
     Parent Janalyn Christensen stated in a letter of support:  “She is one of the most pleasant, dedicated, talented, and truly concerned individuals that I have had the pleasure of knowing in the school system.  She does not demand attention, nor does she seek it, but it comes to her because she earns it.”

• Bids Approved
       The Board approved the following three bids by a 4-2 vote:
  
• Riverside Elementary School:  new chiller
  
• Elk Ridge Middle and Riverside Elementary Schools:  building control systems
  
• Riverside and Granite Elementary Schools:  relocate water control valves
  
•       Board members Kim Horiuchi and Sherril Taylor opposed the motion.  Tracy Cowdell was absent. Mrs. Horiuchi said she opposed the motion because Riverside Elementary School will require $375,000 in repairs.  She said there are a lot of schools with needs and feels the funds should be spread out. 
        The Board unanimously approved the bids for ultraviolet disinfecting equipment for Custodial Services, dishwashers for Nutrition Services, classroom audio systems and library software.  

Student Appeal
     The Board approved a student appeal. 

Superintendent’s Input
     Superintendent Barry L. Newbold presented the Board with a report on new construction.  Valley High, Heartland and Eastlake Elementary Schools all began receiving students on Monday, Aug. 25.  Falcon Ridge Elementary School opened July 25.  He commended District and school staffs for their efforts in getting these schools ready for students.
     Superintendent Newbold also provided the Board with a new-hire report.  The District has hired 544 new teachers for the 2008-09 school year and 72 support staff including speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, nurses and guidance specialists.  The District currently has 15 more positions to fill in the areas of secondary, special education, and guidance specialists. 

• Board Comments
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett thanked the New Construction and Maintenance Department employees for their efforts this summer in preparing new schools.  She extended her congratulations to the new east-side board for hiring David Doty as its superintendent.  Mrs. Kennett thanked the Administration for reports on smaller learning communities, middle-school reform and the end-of-year Jordan Alternative Middle School report.  She reported on her attendance at the Administrative Leadership Conference, new teacher induction, Valley High School’s open house, the ribbon cutting for the remodel of Terra Linda Elementary School, and the Utah School Board Association’s (USBA) Board of Directors meeting and pre-delegate and delegate assemblies.
  
• Kim Horiuchi thanked Mrs. Kennett for her congratulations on the new school district’s hiring of its superintendent. She noted Dr. Doty will be meeting with Superintendent Newbold and he is looking forward to working cooperatively with both the existing and remaining school boards. Mrs. Horiuchi also attended the new teacher induction and was impressed with how excited teachers were to begin a new year.  She thanked the Human Resources Department for its hard work in hiring teachers this year, and she thanked all those responsible for getting Eastlake Elementary School ready to open this week.
  
• Randy Brinkerhoff reported on his attendance at the Administrative Leadership Conference, the Jordan Education Foundation’s Links to School Golf Classic which raised $39,000, USBA’s pre-delegate assembly, the new teacher induction and Valley High School’s open house.  He said he has appreciated meeting with the new remaining Jordan School District Board of Education.  Mr. Brinkerhoff, who is also a member of the Riverton City Council, said he reports on the school district during council meetings.
  
• Sherril Taylor announced the new school district board is having a contest to name the district and develop a logo. The community can submit names and logos at nameourdistrict.com.  He encouraged the school boards to work together especially in the areas of discussing shared services.
  
• Ellen Wallace attended the Administrative Leadership Conference and complimented the superintendent on his remarks. She attended the foundation’s Links to School Golf Classic and thanked those who helped run the golf tournament and donated money.  Mrs. Wallace attended USBA’s pre-delegate and delegate assemblies,  new teacher induction, toured Valley High School earlier this month and has been visiting the schools in her precinct. She expressed appreciation to school administrators for the expert job they do.  Mrs. Wallace said she is committed to do all she can to make this a great year for Jordan School District.  
  
• J. Dale Christensen commended the east-side school board for its selection of David Doty as its superintendent.  He has known Dr. Doty for 10 years and said he is an intelligent, devoted educator and man of integrity. President Christensen looks forward to working with him and the new east-side board.

Closed, Study Sessions
     The Board met in closed session to discuss a student appeal and property.  During study session the Board discussed laptop computers and Board issues and concerns.

— 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