Aug. 27, 2024 Board Meeting Summary

• Summary of Board Actions During Study Session on Aug. 27, 2024

• Special Business Items
  The Board approved the following special business items:
• New Administrative Policy AA452 Title IX Sexual Harassment
• Revisions to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, praised everyone for all of the hard work that went into the great start to another school year; including teachers, transportation staff, and maintenance crews who worked really hard on projects throughout the summer to get things up and running so well. He said the Human Resources team did a wonderful job recruiting and hiring, with 30 to 40 applicants for every teaching position. The Superintendent said the District is starting the year with fewer openings than it has had in recent school years.

• Patron Comments
• Sarah Bennett, a parent, said banning of cell phones in schools would violate the U.S. Constitution and infringe on personal rights and freedom of speech.
• Jason Wardel, a parent and track coach, supports an update to the overnight travel policy. He said allowing students to compete in national meets gets them the recognition they deserve for future success.
• Britt Steadman, a parent, supports an update to the overnight travel policy because she said out-of- state competitions are so valuable to student athletes.
• Parker Monsivai, a student, said cross-country team athletes sacrifice so much to excel in their sport, however he said it does not interfere with academics. He supports an update to the overnight travel policy.
• Brandon Woolf, a parent, said extra-curricular activities like track and cross-country can help students with college scholarship opportunities.
• Claire Hoenes, a student, said as a member of a high school cross-country team, it is so important to compete at lower elevations where athletes can run faster and get better times which helps with recruitment. She supports an update to the overnight travel policy.
• Shelley Taft, a parent, said she supports adding quick trips to the overnight travel policy.
• Tayshawn Ogomo, a student, supports changes to the overnight travel policy citing the great experience and opportunities that came from his competing at the Nike Cross Nationals last year.
• Tim Brooks, an employee, said Smartphones do not have a place at school and they lead to widespread illegal activity, bullying, and are a distraction to learning. Mr. Brooks advocated for a full-day ban of Smartphones in schools.
• Brandon Woolf, a parent, said despite parental training at home, students cannot get off their cell phones. He supports a bell to bell ban on cell phone use in schools.
• Cindy Mitchell, an employee, asked the Board to pause on implementing revisions to the Library Media Selection and Review policy.
• Jill Myler, a resident, said student attention is fractured by cell phones in schools and she advocated for a phone free learning environment.
• Vanessa Welch, a parent, said a K-12 bell to bell ban on cell phones in schools would take a heavy burden off the shoulders of students and lead to healthy social skills.
• Oakley Petersen, a parent, said students need less isolation in their lives and said cell phone use leads to inappropriate behavior.
• Michael Orlowski, a teacher, said a cell phone ban in all classrooms would enhance the learning environment.
• Janet Sanders, JEA President, said a cell phone ban in classrooms at Mountain Ridge High School has been magical in her classroom. Ms. Sanders said as a result of the cell phone ban she has seen increased student engagement in amazing ways.
• Monika Timm, a parent, said students need more face-to-face interaction and she supports a K-12 bell to cell phone ban policy.
• Barbie Curtis, a parent, suggested people ask if there are areas where cell phones would be acceptable in Jordan schools. She said if the Board implements one new rule, it may create other problems.
• Kathleen Barlow, a teacher, said she is part of the “Smartphonefree Childhood” USA movement and a bell to bell ban on Smartphones in schools would send a message that students can learn to be without their phones.
• Patron, parent, and student email comments; the Board received a number of emails supporting the ban of cell phones in the classroom.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Miller thanked everyone who helped get schools ready for the new school year, especially Education Support Professionals and members of the PTA.
• Niki George reported on the Government Relations Committee which is finishing plans for the Legislature Day in the Classroom. Jordan will host ten lawmakers in our schools on Thursday, Sept. 26.
• Darrell Robinson said he is working with Brian Barnett on a dedication ceremony for the new Juniper Elementary School.
• Lisa Dean thanked instructional coaches for the hard work they put in, even over the summer months. She praised the free summer meal program which incorporated a variety of fresh produce from the JATC South greenhouse and some Jordan school gardens. Ms. Dean reported on the SLCo Parks and Rec Advisory Board and activities taking place for families in Jordan School District.
• Marilyn Richards reported on the UHSAA which has sanctioned Esports for the 2025-26 school year and is in the process of considering realignment for some schools.
• Bryce Dunford asked the Board for approval to move forward with plans for a School Garden Program and exploring funding for the program.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, and potential litigation.

In open session the Board discussed proposed changes to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel, and discussed the 2025 summer capital projects. They continued a discussion on a District cell phone policy.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

1. Study Session – 8:01
   1. Motion to Go into Closed Session – 8:20
2. Closed Session
   1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
   2. Property
   3. Potential Litigation
   4. Negotiations
   5. Security
3. Study Session – 54:50
   1. Proposed Changes to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel – 55:00
   2. 2025 Summer Capital Projects – 1:09:28
   3. Cell Phone Policy Part I – 1:45:22
      Cell Phone Policy Part II – 5:14:33
4. General Session – 2:39:12
   1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:40:22
   2. Reverence – 2:40:48
   3. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:42:05
   4. Board Member Recognitions – 2:42:57
   5. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 2:45:42
5. Public Comments – 2:47:16
   1. Guidelines for Public Comments
6. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 3:28:42
   1. Board Minutes
7. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 3:29:24
   1. Expenditures
   2. Financial Statements
   3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
   4. Certificates for Home Instruction
   5. Non-compliance Report
8. Bids – 3:29:51
   1. Bingham High School – Furniture
   2. Facility Services – Snow Removal Districtwide
9. Special Business Items – 3:33:31
   1. Recommendation to Approve New Administrative Policy AA452 Title IX Sexual Harassment
   2. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AA440 Library Media Selection and Review
   3. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel
10. Information Items – 4:29:52
    1. Superintendent’s Report
11. Discussion Items – 4:30:09
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
12. Adjourn – 6:14:55
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
13. Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security