Jan. 24, 2023 Board Meeting Summary


Celebrating South Jordan Middle School
Raimana Munanui, 9th grade Student Body Officer, said the school theme at South Jordan Middle School this year is “You Belong” and students and staff live that theme every day. Raimana said SoJo Middle has an environment of belonging and they celebrate all students including those with special needs who are a big part of everything that happens at school. He said students with special needs work closely peer tutors. Every year students organize a HOPE Week to address mental health and wellness and a Culture Week to celebrate cultural diversity. Raimana reported the Performing Arts are alive and well and student groups work hard at teaching self-esteem. He said SoJo Middle students have some of the highest scores in ELA, Math, and Science. He concluded by saying South Jordan Middle is a great school and they want everyone who enters the building to feel like they belong.

Special Business Items
The Board held a public hearing regarding the issuance of $45,000,000 in Lease Revenue Bonds and the potential impact of the proposed project on the private sector. There were no patrons who commented.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, talked about the origins and evolution of the Jordan Virtual Learning Academy (JVLA). He introduced the JVLA principals who he said had a vision and did the hard work to move virtual learning forward in the District. He said Jordan’s virtual schools are providing an ever- widening range of options, and they have proven to be successful options.

Ammon Wiemers, principal of Kings Peak Virtual High School; Spencer Campbell, principal of Kelsey Peak Virtual Middle School; and Ross Menlove, principal of Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School, said their schools continue to evolve and as a K-12 system they all work together on a daily basis to engage families. The schools offer virtual and in-person options, which are personalized for students who can learn on their own time and their own pace. The schools offer a choice in education and the principals said it is working for students who are enrolled from all parts of the state. The principals acknowledged their amazing staff members who go above and beyond for students and have an absolute passion for teaching virtually. Their goal is to grow the programs and continue reaching students who may not be reached in a traditional school setting.

The Superintendent said the District is hoping to fill hundreds of open positions with the first ever Jordan Job Fair. The Job Fair was held on Wednesday, January 25 and attracted hundreds of people exploring a wide variety of job opportunities.

  • Board Comments
  • Niki George was a judge at the “We the People” competition at South Jordan Elementary School and said it was an awesome experience and students were so impressive. She recognized everyone at the school involved in the event, which gives students an opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the Constitution of the United States.
  • Darrell Robinson recognized students at District high schools involved in the amazing and successful charity work accomplished over the holiday season. Mr. Robinson reminded Board members the next Jordan Parent Advisory Committee meeting will be held at JATC South on January 31, 2023 and will include presentations by the Cook Center, Emergency Operations Manager Lance Everill and Associate Superintendent Michael Anderson.
  • Lisa Dean attended the Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee’s recent conference and meeting for parents, which she described as outstanding. She congratulated Joel P. Jensen teacher Mandy Truscott as the most recent Utah Jazz Most Valuable Educator award winner. Ms. Dean also attended the Oquirrh Hills Middle School Grand Concert and said the performances were fantastic.
  • Marilyn Richards attend the Region Drill competition and was amazed at how hard the girls work and said JSD was well represented with Bingham High School taking first place. Ms. Richards reported that West Jordan High School will now be classified as a 5A school by the UHSAA.
  • Tracy Miller attended a Chinese New Year celebration at Eastlake Elementary School and said the students and teachers did a great job. She also attended a Districtwide dance concert which she said was fun. Ms. Miller congratulated Aspen Elementary School on a successful Community Night and attended a ribbon cutting for a new Wellness Room at Riverside Elementary School. She congratulated Marilyn Richards on her new position with UHSAA.

Patron Comments
Dustin Stottman, a parent, expressed concern over the boundaries for Sunset Ridge Middle School, which will force his daughter to attend Joel P. Jensen Middle School much farther from his home where she has no established friends.

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

In open session, the Board received a report on District Mental Health Services, information regarding the Calendar Committee and discussed school enrollment permits. The Board received a bid for the Multi-Use (Flex) School and reviewed the Board of Education meeting calendar for 2023-24 along with a review of Board Policy GP113 Board Committee Principles. They also discussed Board Committee assignments and the West Jordan Elementary School property.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – 17:43
    1. Report on District Mental Health Services – 18:15
    2. School Enrollment Permit Discussion – 1:27:43
    3. Calendar Committee – 1:47:51
    4. Review of Bid for Multi-use (Flex) School – 1:54:44
    5. Board of Education Meeting Calendar 2023-24 – 2:15:06
    6. Review of Board Policy GP113 Board Committee Principles and Discussion of Board Committee Assignments – 4:42:52
    7. Discussion of West Jordan Elementary School Property – 4:55:11
  2. General Session – 2:48:24
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:49:51
    2. Reverence – 2:50:36
    3. Presentation – Celebrating South Jordan Middle School – 2:52:39
    4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:57:46
    5. Board Recognitions – 2:58:50
    6. Superintendent’s Recognitions: Jordan Virtual Learning Academy – 3:22:32
  3. Public Comments – 3:44:03
    1. Comments by Elected Officials
    2. Patron Comments
  4. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda. – 3:38:41
    1. Board Minutes
    2. West Jordan High School Land Trust Amendment
    3. Board of Education Meeting Calendar 2023-24
    4. Evaluation of Superintendent of Schools
    5. Evaluation of Business Administrator
  5. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 3:50:17
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  6. Bids – 3:50:50
    1. JATC North – CTE Computer Lab Replacement
    2. West Jordan High School – HP Chromebooks & Licenses
    3. Instructional Support Services – Piano Tuning Districtwide
    4. Instructional Support Services – Music Instruments for Middle Schools
    5. Purchasing Department – HP & Canon Ink, Toner and Supplies
    6. Facility Services – New Multi-Use (Flex) School in Herriman
  7. Special Business Items – 4:00:05
    1. Motion to Adjourn Jordan School District Board of Education Meeting and Convene as Local Building Authority
  8. Local Building Authority of Jordan School District – 4:00:47
    1. Approval of Minutes from November 29, 2022
    2. PUBLIC HEARING: Regarding Issuance of Lease Revenue Bonds
    3. Motion to Adjourn Local Building Authority Meeting and Reconvene as Jordan School District Board of Education
  9. Information Items – 4:04:32
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  10. Discussion Items – 4:06:19
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  11. Adjourn – 4:25:31
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  12. 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
Niki George, First Vice President – Precinct 6
Darrell Robinson, Second Vice President – Precinct 1
Brian W. Barnett, Member – Precinct 2
Lisa Dean, Member – Precinct 7
Bryce Dunford, Member – Precinct 5
Marilyn Richards, Member – Precinct 4