Sept. 28, 2021 Board Meeting Summary

• Summary of Board Actions During Board Meeting on Sept. 28, 2021

Celebrating Mountain Ridge High School
Taya Tenney, Student Body President, said there is much of which to be proud at Mountain Ridge High School in the few short years the school has been open. The theme for this year is “Who We Are,” which inspires everyone to build a sense of self-worth. Taya said the school has a young, but outstanding legacy including successful athletic teams, student government, DECA and drill team to name a few. She reported more than 1500 students attended this year’s Homecoming dance and it was a big success. Taya said the Mountain Ridge High culture is one of celebrating one another.

Recognitions
Board Second Vice President, Marilyn Richards, recognized 63 school Nutrition Services managers in the District for their extraordinary work during challenging times. She thanked them for making sure all students received nutritious meals, even delivering the meals curbside during the pandemic. The managers were each recognized with a certificate of appreciation.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, recognized West Jordan High School student Anna Fotheringham for taking second place at the National PREP Scholars Symposium for her project called “Bottom Line – The Ultimate Foot Analyzer. Anna is a 4th year Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) student and she designed the foot analyzer to help coaches correct runners’ strides to avoid injuries. The Superintendent also recognized PREP teacher Stacy Pierce and STEM consultant Jane Harward.

The Superintendent introduced Mr. Mike Haynes, Director, Jordan Education Foundation, who shared with the Board highlights of the Foundation’s annual report. Former Foundation president Tyler Pettit joined Mr. Haynes and said they have had more than $1,000,000 in donor contributions in the past year, along with $500,000 worth of in-kind donations to benefit students and schools. Mr. Pettit said the Foundation is proud to support teachers and students through Outstanding Educator Awards, Christmas for Kids, Principal’s Pantries, Educator Grants and Wellness Centers.

The Superintendent thanked everyone for their hard work on the District’s new literacy initiative and said he is excited about the results schools are already seeing because of the initiative.

Special Business Items
The Board approved the following:
Proposed revisions to Administrative Policy AS61 Student Records and Transcripts.
Proposed revisions to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel.
Proposed revisions to Policy AA442 Privacy Rights – Student and Family
Proposed revisions to Administrative Policy AA42 Middle School Philosophy
Proposed revisions to Administrative Policy AA443 Student Clubs

Patron Comments
• Mercedes Grindstaff, a parent, expressed concern over the Second Step Program which she believes includes a harmful agenda and should not be taught for every child in our schools.
• Carolyn Stipanov, a parent, expressed concern about school curriculum which teaches emotions.
• Nicole Christofferson, a parent, expressed concern over the use of the Second Step Program in schools.
• Kierstin Glenn, a parent, also expressed concern over the use of the Second Step Program and hopes JSD schools can develop their own curriculum.
• Debra Carlson, a grandparent, joined others in concern over the Second Step Program.
• Tiff Dodge, a teacher, said she believes there is a modesty problem among students in Jordan School District which is having a negative effect on everyone.
• Jenifer Chipman, a parent, said it is exciting to see so many great programs to support students in society today but worries about the Second Step Program in schools.
• Heather Hardle, a parent, wanted to know what is at the core of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in our schools.
• Rebecca Gillespie, a parent, is worried about SEL being taught in schools.
• Christie Shoell, a parent, also shared concerns about the SEL program.
• Amy Egbert, a parent, thanked the Board for everything that is done for students in the District. She believes there is a place for social emotional learning in schools but expressed concern over the Second Step Program.
• Rebecca Colley, a parent, asked the Board to look deep into the Second Step Program.
• Stacy Peterson, a parent and grandparent, expressed concern over 8th grade curriculum.

Board Comments
• Tracy Miller attended Ag Day at JATC South and said it was a great day. She also attended the Hidden Valley Middle School “Salute to Patriot Day,” and toured the new virtual schools located at Hidden Valley.
• Marilyn Richards reported on the Finance and Audit Committee which met to discuss a proposed Riverton City CRA.
• Jen Atwood attended the District retirement dinner which she said was a great event. She also attended the West Jordan High School football game and reported that the new restrooms, ticket booth and storage area are now open. Ms. Atwood reported that the committee assigned to look at the District Controversial Issues Policy is still working hard on that policy and members have heard parent concerns.
• Niki George attended Ag Day at JATC South where she learned a lot from students who were participating. Ms. George reported on the new committee looking into authorization of sponsoring future charter schools and said the committee discussed what parameters of authorizing a new charter would look like.

Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, potential litigation, and negotiations. In open session, the Board received a Social Emotional Wellness update and discussed building capacities and permit priorities. The received information on enrollment growth projections, the redistricting process and discussed the Olympia Development. The Board also continued to discuss updates to Board Policy GP111 Types of Meetings and discussed recent Utah School Boards Association trainings.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

1. Study Session – Open Meeting – 13:17
   1. Social Emotional Wellness Update – 14:03
   2. Building Capacities and Permit Priorities – 57:09
   3. Enrollment Growth Projections -1:15:43
   4. Information and Discussion on Redistricting Process – 1:36:47
   5. Olympia Development Part I – 2:08:41 | Part II – 5:14:52
   6. Continued Discussion on Proposed Updates to Board Policy GP111 Types of Meetings – 5:19:23
   7. Discussion on Recent Utah School Boards Association Trainings – 5:31:25
2. General Session – Open Meeting – 2:44:34
   1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:46:19
   2. Reverence – 2:47:35
   3. Presentation – Celebrating Mountain Ridge High School – 2:49:03
   4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:53:51
   5. Recognitions – 2:54:53
   6. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 3:07:15
   7. Comments by Elected Officials – 3:25:43
   8. Patron Comments – 3:29:55
3. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 4:18:48
   1. Minutes
   2. LEA-specific Licenses
4. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 4:19:43
   1. Expenditures
   2. Financial Statements
   3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
   4. Certificates for Home Instruction
   5. Non-compliance Report
5. Bids – 4:20:30
   1. Copper Hills High School – Uniforms and Apparel Discount Incentive
   2. Teaching & Learning – Lexile Measure & Reading Assessment Tool
   3. Teaching & Learning – English Language Learning Software Grades K-6 – Imagine Learning
   4. Teaching & Learning – English Language Learning Software Grades 7 -12 – ELLevation
   5. Facility Services – Snow Removal
6. Special Business Items – 4:23:26
   1. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AS61 Student Records and Transcripts
   2. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AA414 Student Overnight Travel
   3. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Policy AA441 Privacy Rights – Student and Family
   4. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AA442 Middle School Philosophy
   5. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy AA443 Student Clubs
7. Information Items – 4:32:39
   1. Superintendent’s Report
8. Discussion Items – 4:34:13
   1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
9.  Adjourn – 4:53:12
   1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
10. Potential Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security