Dec. 13, 2022 Board Meeting Summary

• Summary of Board Actions During Study Session on Dec. 13, 2022

Celebrating South Hills Middle School
Sawyer Carlson, 9th Grade Student Body Officer, said they work hard to create a caring environment of life-long learners at South Hills Middle School. He talked about the “Tiger Squad” which is a group of students who foster a better atmosphere at school and are a big part of the “Hope Squad” at South Hills. Sawyer said the school’s SBO’s are honored to represent South Hills and its students and they are constantly working with a fantastic faculty and staff. He said the principal is great and fosters a great working environment with staff who work so hard for students in a kind and caring way. The staff makes the school experience as good as it can be at South Hills. Sawyer said there are many clubs at the school for students in which to participate and the Performing Arts play a prominent role. He said South Hills exists in a community like no other.

Superintendent’s Recognitions
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, introduced Kevan Sprague, JESPA, who thanked outgoing Board members Jen Atwood and Matt Young for their work over the years. Mr. Sprague presented both with a plaque of appreciation.

Superintendent Anthony Godfrey recognized Mr. Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation. Jordan School District Transportation was recently the “Natural Gas Vehicles for America Award Recipient”. Mr. Bergera talked about the CNG school bus fleet which is the largest in the State of Utah and in the western United States. Mr. Bergera said the cost savings using CNG school buses is 86 cents per gallon and the CNG program has saved taxpayers $2.6 million dollars since it began in the 1990’s. Mr. Bergera thanked Board members for their support of the CNG program over the years. He also said Transportation launched a parent app called Zonar in November, which will help track school buses and help parents determine the exact arrival time at the bus stop.

Superintendent Godfrey thanked Scott Thomas and the Transportation team for spending overnight hours driving the District when there is inclement winter weather. He said they help in the decision-making and make sure we are able to transport students to and from school safely.

Superintendent’s Report
The Superintendent presented his annual report to the Board of Education expressing his appreciation for the genuine engagement and connection he feels working with Board members. He thanked outgoing Board members Matt Young and Jen Atwood for their service and friendship. The Superintendent thanked everyone for their part in this important work as he reflected on the last school year.

The Superintendent said it was a year very focused on the individual student, individual families, and individual employees. He said the idea is to make the District feel small while doing big things and providing lots of training and support for employees.

The Superintendent gave an overview of requirements and expectations for him as articulated in District policy. He talked about the treatment of students, their families, and staff along with efforts to make this a great place to work. The Superintendent talked about communications, support for the Board, annual reports to the public, the mission statement focusing on student achievement, empowering employees, customer service, safety and security. He also thanked Board members for their constant support and outlined how funding from the Board is making a big difference in our schools.

Special Business Items
The Board approved the amended budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year, Amendment #2 to the Master Development Agreement for the Olympia Development in Herriman, and updates to policy DP318A Resignations-Administrators to bring it into alignment with DP318 Resignations-Licensed.

• Patron Comments
• Tyler Adams, a student, wanted to recognize Indian Hills Principal Doug Graham, Oquirrh Hills Middle Principal Donna Hunter and Board President Tracy Miller for their hard work. He expressed concern over talk of a potentially new school district in the southwest quadrant of Salt Lake County.
• Wendy McConnehey, a parent, advocated for keeping West Jordan Elementary School open until the Board comes up with a long-term plan for students attending neighboring schools.

• Board Comments
• Tracy Miller congratulated Monte Vista Elementary School on their first ever musical, which was a Christmas program. She attended Career Days at Valley High School and the Silver Rush kickoff at Riverton High School, which she described as a very touching event. Ms. Miller thanked Scott Thomas for driving the District on days when there is inclement winter weather. She said a huge hole will be left on the Board with the departure of Jen Atwood and Matt Young. Ms. Miller thanked Jen for being such a fierce advocate for her community and District employees and recognized Mr. Young for being so good at putting ideas into action. She thanked them both for their years of service.
• Marilyn Richards reported on an upcoming Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) meeting where potential changes to high school classifications for athletics will be discussed. She thanked Matt Young for his expertise and brilliant business mind and Jen Atwood for the kind, compassionate, and caring person that she is saying she loves them both.
• Bryce Dunford said Jen Atwood taught him not just to represent, but to “be” the community you represent, and said he will be forever grateful for Jen’s ability to show everyone how to love and advocate. He thanked Matt Young for being such a great mentor.
• Darrell Robinson said this has been an incredible team and the experiences Jen Atwood and Matt Young brought to the Board have been phenomenal, saying the two are leaving the District better than they found it.
• Jen Atwood attended the Majestic Elementary Arts Academy Holiday Gala which she described as so impressive. Ms. Atwood said it is fun to see how proud parents are of their students and all the great things happening at Majestic. She thanked the Jordan Education Foundation for a wonderful “Christmas for Kids” event saying it kicks off the holiday season for so many people. Ms. Atwood said it has been an honor and privilege to serve over the past 8 years with other Board members. She thanked her family for sacrificing so much in order for her to serve. Ms. Atwood said she hopes everyone understands the great integrity on the part of Superintendent Godfrey and Business Administrator John Larsen.
• Niki George reported on the Government Relations Committee which is compiling priorities for the upcoming legislative breakfast. She said Jen Atwood and Matt Young brought balance to the Board and said the Board has been blessed by the questions Matt thinks to ask. She expressed great appreciation for Jen Atwood’s unsurpassed love and acceptance of everyone.
• Matt Young reflected on his time as a member of the Board of Education, saying it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve alongside so many wonderful people. He thanked his family for their sacrifices allowing him to serve. He expressed gratefulness to those who have been willing to serve with him and for the time Superintendent Godfrey, John Larsen, and Mike Anderson gave him whenever needed. He said he will miss everyone and expressed his love for fellow Board members wishing only the best for the future of Jordan School District.

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

In open study session, the Board received a report on school grades and reviewed revisions to Administrative Policy DP318A Resignations – Administrators and they reviewed Amendment #2 to the Master Development Agreement for the Olympia Development in Herriman.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

1.  Study Session – 18:31
   1. School Grades – 19:31
   2. Review of Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy DP318A Resignations – Administrators – 1:28:20
   3. Review of Amendment #2 to the Master Development Agreement for the Olympia Development in Herriman – 1:31:03
   4. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session – 1:42:54
2. Closed Session
   1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
   2. Property
   3. Potential Litigation
   4. Negotiations
   5. Security
3. General Session – 2:46:03
   1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:47:51
   2. Reverence – 2:48:55
   3. Presentation – Celebrating South Hills Middle School – 2:49:34
   4. Recognitions – 2:54:35
   5. Superintendent’s Recognition – 2:58:54
4. Public Comments – 3:09:22
   1. Comments by Elected Officials
   2. Patron Comments
5. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 3:13:14
   1. Board Minutes
   2. Updates to Administrative Policy DP318A Resignations – Administrators
6. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 3:13:51
   1. Expenditures
   2. Financial Statements
   3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
   4. Certificates for Home Instruction
   5. Non-compliance Report
7. Bids – 3:14:26
   1. Central Warehouse – White Copier Paper
   2. Riverton High School – HP Chromebooks and Google Licenses
   3. Facility Services – Landscape Materials
8. Special Business Items – 3:16:46
   1. BUDGET HEARING: Recommendation to Approve Amended Budget for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year
   2. Recommendation to Approve Amendment #2 to the Master Development Agreement for the Olympia Development in Herriman
9. Information Items – 3:31:24
   1. Superintendent’s Annual Report to the Board of Education
10. Discussion Items – 4:35:14
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
    2. Motion to Adjourn