June 12, 2018 Board Meeting Summary

Budget Hearing for 2018-19 School Year
Business Administrator John Larsen presented the proposed 2018-19 budget of $710.1 million to the Board of Education during the District’s annual budget hearing. The Board adopted the 2017-18 final amended budget and the 2018-19 proposed budget. The Board authorized any budget adjustments necessary to reflect funds received from the Certified Tax Rate. The Board formally committed $11 million of General Fund Balance for the new Teacher Grant Program.

Dr. Johnson thanked Board members for their diligent work throughout the year. She stated that the District is not only committed to the mantra, ‘Every Child, Every Day,’ but is also committed to the educational pursuits of everyone, ‘Every Learner, Every Day.’ She commended Mr. Larsen, his staff and the Board for their outstanding work preparing the budget. Dr. Johnson reviewed Ends policies regarding student achievement, empowering employees, customer service, as well as security and safety during her presentation.
Mr. Larsen summarized five main points of the 2018-19 budget, which were: 1) JSD has a balanced budget; 2) there is no certified tax increase; 3) negotiated agreements with employees had been fulfilled; 4) implementation of the new teacher grant program; and 5) the impacts of bond construction projects on the budget.

Mr. Larsen then reviewed the following aspects of the 2018-19 proposed budget:

  • WPU: The Utah State Legislature increased the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value from $3,311 to $3,395 (a $84 increase).
  • Enrollment: Student enrollment is projected at 54,335, an increase of 816 students.
  • Assessed Valuation: The District’s assessed valuation is projected at $21.1 billion in 2018-19, up from $20.6 billion in 2017-18.
  • Employee Compensation: The budget includes compensation increases for all employee groups. Overall, the District saw no increase in insurance premiums.
  • Bond School Construction: Work continues on all bond school construction projects. Construction includes a new high school in Herriman, new middle schools in South Jordan and Bluffdale, new elementary schools in Herriman and Bluffdale and the rebuild of West Jordan Middle School.
  • Health and Wellness Initiative: The District’s Health and Wellness Initiative includes hiring a psychologist for every school in the District, a Health and Wellness Specialist at the District level and a Suicide Prevention Consultant.

Recognitions
Region 6 PTA Director Dawn Ramsey recognized those who received statewide recognition from the Utah PTA. Spirit of PTA winner Sheri Mattle, PTA volunteer from South Jordan Middle School and Bingham High School, Outstanding Teacher of the Year Michael Henriksen, Riverton High School, and PTA Scholarship Winner Lauren Christiansen, Herriman High School.

Elected Official Comments
Representative Susan Pulsipher commended the Board for making a difference in the lives of children. She thanked them for their commitment to hiring and retaining high quality teachers, which will result in a high quality education for students

South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey thanked Superintendent Johnson for serving as Grand Marshal of the South Jordan Summerfest Parade. She also thanked her for doing a great job for students in the District and appreciated the invitation to participate in school graduations.

Special Business Item
The Board received and unanimously approved a recommendation by Business Administrator John Larsen to adjust the plan of finance relating to the general obligation bonds approved at the November 2016 special bond election, making land acquisition the highest priority.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Patrice A. Johnson, Superintendent of Schools, thanked the Board for serving Jordan School District and the community. She commended school counselors and graduating students for receiving a record amount of scholarships. This year, graduates received over $39 million in scholarships, up from $28 million in the prior year. Dr. Johnson also thanked Cabinet members for absorbing extra work the past school year. She lauded Business Administrator John Larsen for his stellar expertise with the budget and thanked him for his service to the District.

  • Board Comments
  • Janice Voorhies attended the graduation at River’s Edge. She was greatly appreciative of the hard work put in by all graduates. She commended all music education students and teachers for their hard work in learning how to play instruments and performing at the year-end concerts.
  • Jen Atwood attended the Valley High and West Jordan High graduations and commented on how great it was to see everyone work hard to achieve their goals. She had a meeting with the West Jordan Middle School Community Council. They had a great conversation with teachers, students and members of the community reflecting on the past year. She also discussed the changes to the health and human sexuality curriculum, as mandated by the recently passed HB 286. She also followed-up on discussions related to HB 370 which addressed suicide prevention. She talked about the revisions to the facility rental and fee schedule, as well as upcoming ‘Avoid-Deny-Defend’ training.
  • Marilyn Richards attended the Bingham High School and Riverton High School graduations. She attended a PLC meeting at Jordan Ridge. She commended the Nutrition Services department saying they do a great job throughout the year. She attended the groundbreaking of Bluffdale Elementary and noted how quickly the work was being done in both Bluffdale and at the new Herriman construction site. She also commended the Bingham sports teams for outstanding spring seasons.
  • Bryce Dunford attended the South Valley School graduation. He loves going to South Valley School and seeing the progress. He also attended the Copper Hills graduation and was moved to see how much the principal and the teachers there love their students. He was honored to be on hand for such a wonderful celebration.
  • Darrell Robinson attended the Herriman High graduation and was happy to see 960+ students graduate in the ceremony. He also participated at the Herriman Elementary “Clap-out,” as 6th graders are “clapped” out of the school as they move on to middle school. He was grateful to the teachers and administration of the school, as this is the final year he has an elementary student in the District.
  • Tracy Miller attended the Valley High and Herriman High graduations and enjoyed seeing the students finishing their high school careers. She attended the Rosamond Elementary 5th grade class musicals. Everyone participates and they all do a great job. She attended the JATC-South Preschool graduation, where it was evident the students love their teachers. She attended the Eastlake Community Council meeting. They reviewed SAGE scores and the past year. She was in awe of the South Jordan Middle School Orchestra, after attending their end of the year concert. She attended a meeting of the Utah School Board Association where legislative priorities were discussed, particularly related to school funding from the state, school safety, increasing school resource officers and equalization funding

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed two items related to personnel and property. In study session the Board discussed boundary realignments, end polices 403 and 404, and Middle School Credit Committee progress.

– Scott Iddings, Communications Specialist

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