Dec. 12, 2017 Board Meeting Summary

Celebrating South Hills Middle School
Cialinn Johnson, student body officer, said South Hills Middle is an inviting school where teachers and staff genuinely care about all students. She said a program called Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) makes it possible for students to finish their schoolwork over lunch instead of getting a zero. In addition, the Jordan Education Foundation is funding an enrichment bus every Thursday, which allows students who need extra help and tutoring to stay after school and work with teachers and still get a ride home. The Tiger Squad is an ambassador group at South Hills that looks out for students and makes everyone feel welcome. Cialinn said a variety of after school programs like Art Matters and Science Olympiad help to inspire creativity in students and improve problem-solving skills.

Boundary Hearings
The Board approved new boundaries for Bluffdale and Bastian Elementary Schools. The Board voted not to change boundaries for Eastlake, Daybreak, Golden Fields and Welby Elementary Schools.

  • Public Input
  • Angela Sharp, parent, asked that the Board consider a new Option A for Eastlake, Daybreak, Golden Fields and Welby Elementary Schools. She said it was a more balanced Option keeping neighborhoods together.
  • Kerry Simi, Eastlake Elementary teacher, asked the Board to choose an option that would reduce the student population at Eastlake Elementary to benefit teachers and students.
  • Haley McCally, Welby Elementary teacher, asked the Board to consider putting the school back on a year-round calendar to reduce overcrowding and address a lack of teaching space at the school.
  • Kortney Andreasen, Welby parent and volunteer, asked the Board to do something about the overcrowding at Welby Elementary stating that students cannot reach their potential when there is not enough available space at the school to learn.
  • Zakia Richardson, parent, asked the Board to look at the actual numbers at Eastlake and choose a boundary option that is in the best interest of children.
  • Julia Willardson, a parent, asked the Board to keep Eastlake Elementary on a traditional calendar.
  • Camille Orinton, a parent, said the Board should make a decision that would result in a permanent boundary change for Eastlake Elementary School.
  • Tara Ashley and April Pond, parents, said the student population is not impacting the quality of education at Eastlake Elementary School and they asked Board members to consider the no change option.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Patrice A. Johnson, Superintendent of Schools, presented the Board a Summary Report for the 2016-17 school year, which included a detailed strategic planning matrix. The report addressed student and staff achievements and academic celebrations. For example, 20% of students taking the ACT met all four benchmarks with a 20.3 average composite. Concurrent enrollment increased by 37 students with a total of 1,217 credits, 67.2% of AP passed with a 3+ and 90% of CTE students received their CTE certificates by passing their required skills test. Superintendent Johnson reported that graduation rates have gone up steadily over the past six years from 82.2% to 87.2% and Jordan continues to have one of the lowest costs per student among school districts along the Wasatch Front with one of the highest graduation rates. The report also addressed multiple pieces of evidence detailing the District-wide efforts made in customer service, empowering employees, and safety and security. She concluded by saying what she witnessed during the Board meeting was an example of great people doing their very best work for our young people.

  • Elected Official Comments
  • Mayor Dave Alvord, South Jordan City, said using surveys in looking at boundary change options can be helpful but they can also pit communities and people against each other.
  • Dawn Ramsey, Mayor-Elect, South Jordan City, thanked the Board for all the time devoted to boundary considerations and the process that occurred.
  • Patron Comments
  • Ashley Raines Parshall, Special Education teacher, asked the Board to look at what is happening in special education concerning caseloads and qualification of teachers. She said special education needs more support.
  • McKayla Cort, West Jordan High student athlete, asked the Board to consider reducing the pay to play fees for high school athletes. She said some students simply cannot afford to participate in sports because of the fees.
  • Board Comments
  • Janice Voorhies congratulated Sunset Ridge Middle and West Hills Middle students for their holiday performances on Temple Square.
  • Matthew Young said the Innovations in Education Committee met and is discussing a Vision Statement. The Board elected Bryce Dunford and Darrell Robinson to the Innovations in Education ad-hoc committee.
  • Jen Atwood said it was fun to attend the ‘Communities to the Rescue’ concert at West Jordan Middle School. She said there will be a similar concert for Majestic Elementary at WJMS on December 18. Mrs. Atwood is looking forward to the ‘We The People’ program at WJMS on January 25 which is designed to teach students about the Constitution. Mrs. Atwood reported that the Facilities Committee met to determine summer project approvals.
  • Bryce Dunford attended a ‘Puritan Day’ at Elk Ridge Middle School and said it was a delight to participate in a Job Shadow Day at the school where students spent a day with a career professional of their choice. In addition, Mr. Dunford said he is thrilled with the opportunity to work with parents and teachers at Welby Elementary School and throughout the JSD community.
  • Tracy Miller attended the ‘Communities to the Rescue’ concert at West Jordan Middle School and a Reflections Awards Night where winners were selected to move on to the regional competition. She also attended Career Day at Valley High School and a choir concert at South Jordan Middle. Mrs. Miller said we have such great programs in our schools. She also met with the Legislative Committee, which has invited all new mayors in the District to attend a study session on January 23rd where they can review the District’s five year plan.
  • Marilyn Richards met with School Community Councils at South Jordan Middle School and Bingham High School and said she enjoyed getting to know the people who are members. Ms. Richards is looking forward to attending the upcoming Candlelight Service Award ceremony at Bingham High School.
  • Darrell Robinson said it has been fun to attend Christmas Concerts at schools. He said during a visit to Athlos Academy it was fun to see the students involved in lacrosse and hear about the good relationship the charter has with Jordan School District. Mr. Robinson also met with swim teams from Herriman and Riverton High Schools and said he is concerned about the availability of facilities for the teams to practice at and host competitions. Mr. Robinson met with the School Community Council Committee where a new calendaring policy is being discussed.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property and potential litigation. In open session the Board received a report on the West Jordan feeder system and had a discussion on the Dual Language Immersion programs. They also discussed the Board Book of the Quarter and reviewed policy regarding Board Members’ Principles of Operation – Conduct and Ethics.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

Board of Education
Janice L. Voorhies, President – Precinct 6
Matthew Young, Vice President – Precinct 2
Jen Atwood, Secretary – Precinct 7
Bryce Dunford, Member – Precinct 5
Tracy J. Miller, Member – Precinct 3
Marilyn Richards, Member – Precinct 4
Darrell Robinson, Member – Precinct 1