July 30, 2019 Board Meeting Summary

  • Special Business Items
    The Board approved the following:
  • Revisions to BSC204 Monitoring Superintendent Performance
  • Jordan School District Literacy Plan
  • Additional School Fees

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, reported on his activities for July. The Superintendent said he attended an amazing graduation ceremony for students in the JSD Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP).

Stacy Pierce, District PREP Coordinator and Jane Harward, Teaching & Learning Department, talked about the six-week summer PREP program and how students are thriving because of their participation. Ms. Pierce told the Board PREP is a free program for students in our Title 1 schools that it has changed the lives of more than 300 students since it began. PREP inspires students through hands-on learning, daily career speakers and weekly field trips addressing what students are interested in regarding future Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. Ms. Pierce reported that 55% of students in the program are girls interested in pursuing STEM education, she said test results for all participants are steadily going up.

  • Patron Comments
  • Vicki Olsen, JEA President, thanked the Board for holding open houses on the proposed tax increase for teacher salaries. She expressed appreciation for their support of teachers.
  • Heidi Hansen, teacher and parent, encouraged Board members to consider keeping Majestic Elementary School open. She said the school has highly motivated teachers and a principal using best practices to achieve high levels of student success.
  • Heather Reich, teacher, thanked Board members for their willingness to hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing on a proposed tax increase for teacher salaries.
  • Board Comments
  • Bryce Dunford expressed gratitude for former Board of Education members who paved the way for a legacy of getting new schools built at lower costs resulting in savings to taxpayers. He invited everyone to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mountain Creek Elementary School on Thursday, August 15.
  • Matt Young attended the Brighton High School 50th anniversary celebration to say goodbye before the school is torn down. Mr. Young described Brighton as a Jordan Legacy School, which rekindled a flame in him and reignited a love of learning during his senior year at Brighton. He also toured the new Mountain Ridge High School and said it is a beautiful building, built at a 17% cost reduction thanks to hard work and collaboration on the part of Board members past and present.
  • Tracy Miller attended South Jordan Elementary School’s “We the People” program and said she loves what the program teaches students about the Constitution.
  • Janice Voorhies said she is delighted by the summer construction upgrades at West Hills Middle School. She also visited Fox Hollow Elementary School where students looked happy to be back.
  • Darrell Robinson reported that Mountain Ridge High School will hold an open house in the near future.
  • Jen Atwood said it was sad to see West Jordan Middle School being torn down but she is excited about opening the new school.
  • Marilyn Richards said she shed a few tears watching the old West Jordan Middle School being torn down.

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

In open session, the Board discussed a temporary bus route for the Western Springs Development in Riverton, capital projects funding and construction, a Jordan School District Literacy Plan and the possibility of establishing a Licensed Employee Advisory Committee. They also talked about an educator grant report, Board philosophy for school closures, the Truth in Taxation Hearing and received an update on the TSSA plan.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

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