Feb. 25, 2020 Board Meeting Summary

Celebrating Mountain Creek Middle School
Angel Castillo, 7^th grade student body president, reported that Mountain Creek Middle School is doing great in its inaugural year with more than 1000 students and a highly motivated group of teachers and staff. Angel said Mountain Creek has already been featured as Fox 13’s Cool School of the Week. He said after-school enrichment programs and performing arts programs are already engaging students and helping them succeed. The faculty makes Mountain Creek an inviting place to be and they let students know they are loved. Angel also recognized the school’s amazing counseling staff and said they are creating a culture of “Choose Kind.”

New Elementary School in West Jordan
The Board approved Antelope Canyon Elementary School as the name of the new school in West Jordan.

Superintendent Recognitions
Superintendent Godfrey recognized West Jordan High School and the work they are doing as a place where all students are welcome and inspired to succeed at the highest levels.

A video produced by the Office of Communications celebrating WJHS was shown.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, reported on his activities for the month of February.

Elected Official Comments
West Jordan City Mayor Dirk Burton thanked the Board for letting West Jordan bring the DARE program back into elementary schools and for building a new elementary school in the city. He also thanked the Board for being creative with ideas to keep Majestic Elementary School open.

• Patron Comments
• Robert Conder, JESPA President, talked about the many achievements of Educational Support Professionals throughout the District. He said they make a significant difference in our schools and the District could not run without the work of these dedicated employees. Mr. Condor said JESPA believes the last ‘Job Study’ was unfair and employees were harmed.
• Donna Hunter, Principal, Oquirrh Hills Middle School, thanked the Board for recent decisions they have made in supporting schools. She said teacher grants and allowing TSSA funds to be used according to site-based decisions at individual schools have both been game changers at Oquirrh Hills. She also said the ALPS decision for OHMS was perfect.
• Samual Winkler, South Jordan resident, said he is running for Utah House District 42 and is a big supporter of education and would like to work together with Jordan School District.
• Heather Reich thanked the Board for supporting teachers and for listening.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Miller attended the Monte Vista Chinese New Year’s Celebration which she described as fantastic. Ms. Miller had a great time attending the South Jordan Elementary School dance party and congratulated the Riverton High School percussion ensemble for being invited to play and present at the Utah Music Educators conference in St. George.
• Marilyn Richards said she, along with Janice Voorhies, attended a number of school activities including Elk Ridge Middle School’s performance of ‘Cinderella’ which she called fabulous. She also attended the State Drill competition where Bingham High placed first. Ms. Richards reported she has been spending a considerable amount of time at the State Capitol for the legislative session and congratulated South Jordan Middle School students for their musical performance at the State Capitol for District Day on the Hill.
• Jen Atwood attended a number of PTA and PTSA meetings where she enjoyed meeting with parents. She thanked the Office of Communications for the WJHS video and she participated in a tour of CTE programs at WJHS. Ms. Atwood said there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the new elementary school in South Jordan on March 11 and congratulated everyone involved in the most recent Parent University for providing important information to parents regarding the dangers of teen vaping and opioids.
• Janice Voorhies congratulated West Hills Middle and West Jordan Middle for placing first and second in the State “We the People” competition and said Majestic Elementary School’s Shakespearean performance was remarkable. Ms. Voorhies enjoyed attending the Grandparent’s Lunch at Hayden Peak Elementary School and District Day on Capitol Hill. She also enjoyed spending time with student body officers at the Capitol during the legislative session.
•  Darrell Robinson recognized Aaron Baker for all the volunteer work he has done providing drone video of new schools under construction in the District. Mr. Robinson visited with a number of School Community Councils and recognized the Herriman High School boy’s track team for their tradition of giving out roses to girls on Valentine’s Day, a tradition that is catching on at other schools. He said the most recent Parent University about the dangers of vaping and opioids was amazing. Mr. Robinson attended the Foothills Chinese New Year’s program and Family Leadership Night at Butterfield Canyon Elementary.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed character and competency, potential litigation and negotiations.  In open session, the Board discussed a plan to make up the emergency school closure day, summer project bids, an aggregate amount for student fees and naming of the new elementary school in West Jordan. They listened to a report on training for coaches and reviewed Administrative Policy A11 Naming of Facilities. The Board also reviewed ongoing efforts to increase safety and security.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications