May 24, 2022 Board Meeting Summary

  • Summary of Board Actions During Study Session on May 24, 2022

Celebrating Joel P. Jensen Middle School
Porter Melton, Student Body President, said Joel P. Jensen is one of the oldest schools in the District and smaller than other middle schools. He said because it is a smaller school, students are able to get to know one another and they all feel a sense of connection. Porter thanked Board members for all they do to help students and staff at Joel P. Jensen. He said they are very proud to host the ALPS program and proud to feed into West Jordan High School which houses the IB program. The school is also proud of having a very low tardy rate and the cultural diversity that exists within Joel P. Jensen. Porter said students appreciate the Flex time that is available for students who need some extra support to succeed. The theme this year is “I Belong Here,” and Porter said he will always belong to Joel P. Jensen.

  • Recognitions
    The Jordan Education Foundation presented Education Support Professional Awards to the following employees:
  • Korbi Brey – Kauri Sue Hamilton School
  • Kristine Burge – Mountain Creek Middle School
  • Gabi Clayton – River’s Edge School
  • Maricarmen Garcia – Student Services
  • Amanda Hamblin – Special Education
  • Kim Hawkins – Sunset Ridge Middle School
  • Cari Minnesota – Office of Administrator of Schools
  • Kimberly Martensen – Oakcrest Elementary School
  • Marilyn Smith – Office of Administrator of Schools
  • Kim Stafford – Heartland Elementary School
  • Jerri Sume – Copper Canyon Elementary School

Superintendent’s Recognition
Superintendent Anthony Godfrey recognized Dr. Fulvia Franco, Guidance Specialist, for the important work she does quietly saving lives. He said Ms. Franco oversee 70 school psychologists who work together to save lives and said it is impossible to measure the impact they have on students. Dr. Godfrey said psychologists provide urgent care and they help with the most serious of needs in our schools. The Superintendent said he is eternally grateful for the work being done by Dr. Franco and her team each and every day.

Dr. Franco said she was deeply honored to be recognized and to talk about the work of school psychologists and she thanked Board members for their support. She said the Board support has made it possible to have a full-time psychologist in each K-12 school, which allows them to work with any child in need. Ms. Franco talked about the work being done at the Jordan Family Education Center. She said she takes great pride working successfully as a team in Student Services with school counselors, psychologists and the Health & Wellness team.

Special Business Item
The Board approved an exception to Administrative Policy AA419 Student Conduct, Dress, and Appearance allowing recognized items of religious or cultural significance to be worn at graduation.

  • Patron Comments
  • Nicole McDermott, Elk Ridge Middle School, expressed heartfelt gratitude for providing a budget so that the school can purchase replacement instruments in the music program and for supporting Arts programs throughout the District
  • Elma Sheid, President JESPA, thanked the Board for their support and friendship throughout her term as JESPA president and said she appreciates their support for employees who work so hard in the District.
  • A number of students, parents and patrons expressed their support for an exception to the District Dress Code Policy regarding graduation attire which would allow cultural attire to be worn. Some expressed confusion over the policy and asked that students not be denied the right to celebrate their culture and families. They said it is time to review and update the policy and allow students to express their pride and culture at graduation. They said students should be allowed to embrace and honor tradition and diversity in Jordan School District.

Elected Official Comments
Utah State Rep. Karen Kwan said she was inspired and impressed with the culture of caring represented at the Board of Education meeting. She told Board members everyone has a culture and she looks forward to the Board working to honor customary culture attire at graduation.

  • Board Comments
  • Tracy Miller attended a Unified Golf event which she said was a lot of fun. She thanked the staff at Valley High School for organizing a Career Day for students and giving them so many opportunities to succeed. Ms. Miller reminded everyone that the Jordan Education Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament is on June 23 at Glenmore Golf Course in South Jordan.
  • Bryce Dunford thanked school psychologists for the important life-saving work they do in our schools.
  • Marilyn Richards attended the Westvale Elementary Art Show which she said was very impressive and had a great turnout by parents and the community. Ms. Richards and the Board received 44 letters of thanks from ASL students at Bingham High School following a recent trip to Washington D.C.
  • Darrell Robinson recognized the Herriman High School rugby team as one of the best programs in the nation, which was founded in 2011. He congratulated the team for winning the national championship in 2021 and for having three All-American players this year. He also thanked HHS administration for embracing the program.
  • Jen Atwood attended a spring concert at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy and said it was amazing and the Oquirrh Elementary School Family Art Night. She also attended the Family Learning Center graduation at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy,
  • Niki George said she has been invited to many spectacular events including attending the Unified Sports Track and Field competition at Herriman High which she said was great. Ms. George said she attended the senior awards night at Copper Hills High School and it was an amazing experience. She also attended the Fox Hollow 6th grade play produced by the French Dual Immersion students and said the play was phenomenal.

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

In open session, the Board discussed potential exception to Administrative Policy AA419 Student Conduct, Dress, and Appearance and a USBE school grading exemption request for Jordan Virtual Learning Academy. The Board received an update on Capital Projects Fund.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – Open Meeting – 26:09
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  2. Potential Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security
  3. Local Building Authority of Jordan School District – 2:24:16
    1. Discussion on Lease Revenue Bonds and the Local Building Authority of Jordan School District Reimbursement Resolution
  4. Study Session – Open Meeting – 2:40:46
    1. Discussion on Potential Exception to Administrative Policy AA419 Student Conduct, Dress, and Appearance – 2:41:01
    2. USBE School Grading Exemption Request for Jordan Virtual Learning Academy – 6:46:54
    3. Update on Capital Projects Fund – 6:52:05
  5. General Session – Open Meeting – 3:30:16
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 3:32:29
    2. Reverence – 3:33:37
    3. Presentation – Celebrating Joel P. Jensen Middle School – 3:35:13
    4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 3:39:47
    5. Recognitions – 3:40:44
    6. Superintendent Recognition – 4:18:25
    7. Comments by Elected Officials – 4:31:28
    8. Patron Comments – 4:35:20
  6. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 6:26:57
    1. Board Minutes
    2. Jordan School District Considerations for Tax Increment Projects
    3. 2021-22 School LAND Trust Amendment for Antelope Canyon Elementary
    4. Contract for Superintendent of Schools
    5. Contract for Business Administrator
  7. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 6:29:59
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  8. Special Business Item – 4:42:54
    1. Consideration for Exception to Administrative Policy AA419 Student Conduct, Dress, and Appearance
  9. Bids – 6:30:32
    1. Southpointe Adult High School – Computers
    2. Facility Services Construction Materials Testing, Special – Inspections, and Geotechnical Surveys
    3. Facility Services – Portable Classroom Remodel
    4. Facility Services – Driver Education Canopy for Copper Hills High School
    5. Insurance Services – Employee Insurance and Benefit Consultant
    6. Transportation Services – New Fuel Truck Chassis and Tank
  10. Information Items – 6:31:27
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  11. Discussion Items – 6:33:28
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  12. Adjourn – 7:11:37
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  13. Potential Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security
Board of Education
Tracy J. Miller, President – Precinct 3
Bryce Dunford, First Vice President – Precinct 5
Marilyn Richards, Second Vice President – Precinct 4
Jen Atwood, Member – Precinct 7
Niki George, Member – Precinct 6
Darrell Robinson, Member – Precinct 1
Matthew Young, Member – Precinct 2