May 28, 2019 Board Meeting Summary

Introduction of New Superintendent of Schools
The Board announced the appointment of Dr. Anthony Godfrey as the new Superintendent of Schools for Jordan School District effective July 1, 2019. Dr. Godfrey is currently Associate Superintendent of Schools for Jordan School District and is a 26-year employee of the District. He has been a classroom English teacher, assistant principal, principal and administrator of schools. He has a Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Teaching and French from Weber State University.

Celebrating the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers (JATC) North and South Campuses
Keora Anderson, Veterinary Assisting Ambassador, said she has had an incredible experience in the Veterinary Science program at JATC North. She said the variety of programs offered means there is something for everyone. Keora said students in programs at JATC North get to apply what they learn in and outside the classroom and they have achieved great success in a number of competitions. Tage Wilcox, Fire Science/EMT Ambassador at JATC South, said entering this program was one of the best decisions of his life. He said in Fire Science/EMT students learn to work as a team and teachers are engaged and want them to learn. Tage said he has learned tools for helping people that will stay with him for a lifetime, thanks to the Fire Science/EMT program.

Recognitions
Superintendent Johnson recognized Majestic Elementary School teacher Kyla Asmar for helping her students achieve significant growth. Ms. Asmar was awarded $3,700 under HB 212, which provides financial incentives for effective teachers in high poverty schools.

The Jordan Education Foundation recognized the following as Outstanding Classified Employee Award recipients:

• Trina Child, Columbia Elementary School
• Anne Gould, Jordan Education Foundation
• Amanda Hansen, Department of Teaching and Learning
• Paul Hansen, Riverton Elementary School
• Brenda Landeen, South Jordan Elementary School
• Tiffany Page, Eastlake Elementary School
• Cyndi Pellegrino, Sunset Ridge Middle School
• Marci Stewart, Foothills Elementary School

Special Business Items
The Board approved a negotiated compensation agreement with classified employees for the 2019-20 school year and approved a revision to the Bond Finance Plan to include the new elementary school being constructed in West Jordan.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Patrice A. Johnson, Superintendent of Schools, said she received a card recently that said “gratitude is the memory of the heart,” and she thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve Jordan School District. She expressed gratitude to the Board of Education and to those who helped organize a beautiful retirement reception in her honor. Superintendent Johnson said she is grateful to Cabinet members for their willingness to serve young people and for the overachievers that they are committing enormous time and effort in their work. She also expressed gratitude to her husband for this support during her time as Superintendent of Schools and thanked Board members for the extraordinary job they did in setting the tone and selecting Dr. Anthony Godfrey as the new Superintendent of Schools.

• Elected Official Comments
• Representative Susan Pulsipher said she is delighted to watch Jordan School District move forward under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Godfrey.
• Mayor Dawn Ramsey, South Jordan City, thanked the Board for approving upgrades to Bingham High School and celebrating the renovations with a Pipe Breaking Ceremony. She congratulated Dr. Anthony Godfrey and thanked him for his service to Jordan School District.

• Patron Comments
• Heather Reich, teacher, asked for Board support in keeping Majestic Elementary School open by possibly designating it as a STEM or STEAM school.
• Kyla Asmar, teacher, said she is devastated at the prospect of closing Majestic Elementary School and believes moving students to other schools will have a detrimental impact on them.
• Natalie Henderson, parent, asked Board members to address transportation issues that may arise from the Chinese Immersion program being moved to South Hills Middle School.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Miller said she is blown away by all of the talent at end-of-the-year concerts throughout the District. She attended Career Day at Valley High School, Poetry Slam, CTE Awards Night and the Bingham Jazz Dinner Dance. Ms. Miller also attended the Bingham High Dance Company concert and the Kauri Sue Hamilton Commencement ceremony. In addition, she attended a kindergarten musical at Jordan Ridge Elementary, the South Jordan Middle orchestra and dance company concert, the JSD digital showcase and graduation for the Family Learning Center at Majestic Elementary.
• Matt Young attended CTE Awards Night at JATC South, which he said was very well done. He thanked the West Jordan Middle School community and people from surrounding communities for attending closing festivities at the school. He reported that the Finance & Audit Committee discussed an internal audit of school building projects to verify contractors and sub-contractors are in compliance with withholding laws.
• Jen Atwood attended CTE Awards Night, the West Jordan High School Principal’s Reception and the West Jordan Middle School closing celebration where she said it was fun to see everyone excited about the school’s history and memorabilia. Ms. Atwood thanked Principal Garrison and her staff for the hard work that went into the celebration. She also attended the District Retirement Dinner recognizing the work and dedication of so many long-time employees and the Retirement Reception for Dr. Johnson. Ms. Atwood reported that the Community Outreach Committee reviewed health and wellness data and concluded that additional training needs to occur at our high schools. She also reminded Board members about upcoming parades.
• Marilyn Richards attended the West Jordan Middle School closing festivities, which she described as a wonderful night and expressed appreciation for the work Principal Garrison put into the event. Ms. Richards also attended CTE Awards Night, the Kauri Sue graduation ceremony, the Pipe Breaking ceremony at Bingham High School and the District Retirement Dinner. She said the Government Relations Committee will look into the possibility of JSD presenting at USBA.
•  Darrell Robinson enjoyed the experience of “Take My Child to Work Day,” where his daughter accompanied him throughout an entire day including visits to a School Community Council meeting. He spent time walking with elementary students to school and attending a number of sporting events throughout the District. He congratulated the many teams who have found success in State finals. Dr. Robinson also commended the Herriman High School community for all that has been accomplished in healing after a difficult year last school year.
• Janice Voorhies attended the West Jordan High School musical ‘Lucky Stiff,’ which she described as very entertaining. She attended the Cultural Celebration at Hayden Peak Elementary School, the Kauri Sue Hamilton School graduation, the District Poetry Slam, District Retirement Dinner, Dr. Johnson’s Retirement Reception and CTE Awards Night. Ms. Voorhies reported that the Jordan Education Foundation’s annual golf tournament is June 20.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel and negotiations. In open session, the Board had a follow-up discussion on BSC204 Monitoring Superintendent Performance and heard a report from the Jordan Ridge Elementary School Task Force. They discussed the possibility of Jordan School District staff presenting at the 2020 National School Board Association conference and reviewed final steps in the superintendent search process.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications