June 8, 2021 Board Meeting Summary

Budget Hearing
Business Administrator John Larsen presented the proposed 2021-22 budget of $635 million to the Board of Education during the District’s annual budget hearing. The Board adopted the 2020-21 final amended budget, the 2021-22 proposed budget and authorized any budget adjustments necessary to reflect funds received from the Certified Tax Rate.

Superintendent Godfrey thanked Mr. Larsen and his staff for their hard work preparing the budget. Dr. Godfrey said overseeing the budget is a great responsibility and he sees the weight of that responsibility in his role as budget officer. He explained the budget is a plan to spend money entrusted to Jordan School District by taxpayers and it is some of the most important work done as a district and that work is taken very seriously. Superintendent Godfrey said he has the highest level of confidence in the work staff has done preparing the budget.

Mr. Larsen summarized four main points of the 2021-22 budget, which were: 1) JSD has a balanced budget; 2) no certified tax increase; 3) proposed negotiated salary agreements and 4) COVID-19 funding variables.

Mr. Larsen then reviewed the following aspects of the 2021-22 proposed budget:

• Enrollment: Student enrollment is projected at 57,631, an increase of 1,529 students.
• Assessed Valuation: The District’s assessed valuation is projected at $29.5 billion up from $28.9 billion in 2020-21.
• WPU Increase of 5.9%.
• Operational Changes: The District has three new online schools opening in the 2021-22 school year. Aspen Elementary School is opening in South Jordan in the 2021-22 school year. South Jordan Elementary School is moving to a traditional calendar. Majestic Elementary School is transitioning to an Arts Academy. The IB Program is opening at West Jordan High School.

Superintendent’s Recognition
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, recognized everyone involved in graduation ceremonies saying the amount of work that went into planning them cannot be overstated. Dr. Godfrey attended West Jordan High School’s graduation which he described as outstanding. He said he loved seeing the kids again and there is nothing like being there for that important moment in their lives.

Superintendent Evaluation
The Board approved a new 2-year contract for Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They said he demonstrated extraordinary leadership during the pandemic and the highest professional ethics over the past two years. They called his leadership visionary and proactive.

• Special Business Items
  The Board approved the following special business items:
• 2021-22 Negotiated Agreement for Licensed Employees
• 2021-22 Negotiated Agreement for Education Support Professionals
• Revisions to Board Policy GP103 Board Members’ Principles of Operation: Conduct & Ethics
• Extra Mile Pay for Licensed Employees

• Patron Comments
• Elma Scheid, President JESPA, said she was grateful to have worked with John Larsen and Superintendent Godfrey during contract negotiations. She said her appreciation for the Board has grown immensely and is looking forward to another year representing Education Support Professionals.
• Kierstin Glenn, a parent, expressed concern over a video shown in a Language Arts classroom at Oquirrh Hills Middle School.
• Kelly Giffen, President JEA, said she wholeheartedly supports the renewal of Superintendent Godfrey’s contract. She called him a champion of students, teachers, staff and parents and said he is in touch with those working in the trenches. Ms. Giffen said she appreciates the Superintendent’s collaboration and his open-minded approach to things.
• Jesus Mendoza, a patron, expressed concern over microwave radiation impacting children.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Miller thanked administrators for their work on the high school graduations.
• Bryce Dunford recognized Suzie Williams, principal of the new Aspen Elementary School in South Jordan, for going door to door introducing herself to students who will be attending the new school.
• Jen Atwood thanked all administrators for their hard work on successful graduations.
• Darrell Robinson thanked cities for helping to plan and carry out graduation parades.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, potential litigation, and negotiations. In open session, the Board reviewed proposed revisions to Board Policy GP103 Board Members’ Principles of Operation: Conduct and Ethics. They discussed the Extra Mile Pay proposal and received an annual report from Real Salt Lake Academy. The Board received information about USBE efforts regarding educational equity and received information about the District’s Elementary Literacy plan. They also discussed questions raised by the Licensed Educators Advisory Committee (LEAC) and a Board Communication plan.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications