Oct. 17, 2023 Board Meeting Summary


Celebrating Copper Hills High School
Sydney Brough, Student Body President, said Copper Hills High School values relationships and the achievement of goals. The teachers and staff do a great job of furthering the education process and helping students plan for life after high school. Copper Hills has a “Principal’s Roundtable” where each week students and staff meet to support one another. Sydney talked about the school’s HOSA club, which was recognized for having the largest blood drive in the nation and Copper Hills Pals is in place to students with disabilities to always feel welcome and included. Sydney said Special Olympics of North America will soon honor Copper Hills High as a Special Olympics Unified Champion Program. The school has started a Culture and Diversity Committee to address inclusion and make everyone feel welcome and there is great pride in the school’s holiday fundraiser “Paws for a Cause” benefiting the local community. She ended by saying the school’s theme this year is “Together as One.”

Recognitions
The Board of Education recognized all JSD schools and students who participated in the recent regional Unified Soccer Tournament. Herriman High School’s Unified Soccer team advanced to the State finals and was congratulated for their accomplishment. Principal Todd Quarmberg expressed his gratitude for having Unified athletes and their peers as part of Herriman High School.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, recognized all Nutrition Services workers throughout Jordan School District who work tirelessly every single day to provide nutritious meals to students and staff in all of our schools. Dr. Godfrey thanked them for not missing a day in meal service during COVID. The Superintendent said the Wit and Wisdom approval process is complete with seven books reviewed and three approved. He thanked the 230 people who participated in the process including Board members, staff, educators, and parents.

Special Business Items
The Board approved a property donation to West Jordan for future 9000 South expansion and a settlement agreement in vaping litigation involving Altria.

Elected Official Comments
Mayor Dirk Burton, West Jordan City, said Copper Hills High did a great job celebrating their school at the Board meeting and he said loves having them as part of the West Jordan community. Mayor Burton said it is always a pleasure working with the Board of Education. He thanked the Board for the donation of property to West Jordan City.

  • Patron Comments
  • Wyatt Frampton, JATC North Vet Tech teacher, expressed frustration over having his dog Riley banned from his classroom where he said she has been helpful in the education process for years. In addition, Mr. Frampton said Riley has served as a calming presence and, in some cases , a therapy animal.
  • Belinda Gambrinao, a librarian at Hidden Valley Middle School, said she takes her role as a librarian very seriously and is extremely careful in her book selection process.
  • Paula Butterfield, a teacher/librarian at Oquirrh Hills Middle School, said she works very hard at making her library a fun and welcoming place where students can find a diverse collection of books where there is something for everyone.
  • Samantha Clements, a parent, expressed support for adding a DLI program at Aspen Elementary School.
  • Miranda Johnson, a Vet Tech student at JATC North, expressed support for Wyatt Frampton to be allowed to continue bringing his dog Riley to class. Miranda said Riley helps students learn and is an amazing dog.
  • Gwennan Park, a Vet Tech student at JATC North, said it has been her dream to be in this program and she expressed support for allowing Mr. Frampton’s dog Riley in the classroom where he is a support to students and other animals.
  • Sydna Grath, a librarian at South Hills Middle School, said it makes no sense to her that only elected officials should make decisions regarding books in a school library. She said parents are willing to serve on book selection committees and are very beneficial to the process.
  • Janet Ollman Blackmer, expressed frustration over the noise coming from the Copper Hills High School football stadium during games and events. She asked the Board to consider hiring a sound engineer to see if something can be done to suppress the noise.
  • Denise Anderson, a library specialist, said the District’s book review policy is a good one and should not be revised.
  • Crystal Hansen, a librarian, expressed concern over what she called a disturbing trend in school libraries. She said the District book review policy is working and does not need revisions. She said book bans are an act of discrimination.
  • Callie Fielding, thanked the Board for giving employees maternity leave but asked that they consider extending the leave beyond six weeks. 
  • Board Comments
  • Tracy Miller attended the CTE Agriculture Days at the Bastian Ag Center and said it was a great opportunity for middle school students to be a part of the farm experience. She said the Board Executive Committee has asked District personnel to look at possible new designs that would offer more privacy for school restrooms and locker rooms.
  • Niki George reported on the Government Relations Committee and thanked everyone who participated in the three recent Legislative breakfasts which she said were great meetings.
  • Darrell Robinson said the Jordan Parent Advisory Committee will meet on October 30. He said the Library Materials Committee has been hard at work, and the Board Communications Committee met recently and will provide examples of possible Board newsletters at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.
  • Lisa Dean attended the Family Fall Festival at Joel P. Jensen Middle School and said it so amazing to see all the great performances and fun activities for everyone involved. She also attended the band and orchestra concert at Joel P. Jensen and described it as outstanding. Ms. Dean said the Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee will hold an employee Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 4 – 6 p.m.

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

In open session, the Board received a report from the Salt Lake Academy and information regarding an early interactive reading software program being considered for grades K-3. They reviewed Administrative Policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave and discussed Administrative Policy AA440 Library Media Selection and Review.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – 21:40
    1. Salt Lake Academy Report – 22:10
    2. Early Intervention Reading Software Program for Grades K-3 – 50:34
    3. Review of Administrative Policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave – 1:00:00
    4. Discussion of Administrative Policy AA440 Library Media Selection and Review Part I – 1:07:03
      Discussion of Administrative Policy AA440 Library Media Selection and Review Part II – 5:08:59
  2. General Session – 2:52:50
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:55:01
    2. Reverence – 2:55:44
    3. Presentation – Celebrating Copper Hills High School – 2:56:22
    4. Board Member Recognitions – 3:03:35
    5. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 3:14:37
  3. Public Comments – 3:17:40
    1. Comments by Elected Officials
    2. Patron Comments
  4. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 3:53:02
    1. Board Minutes
    2. Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA) 2024-25 Plan Framework
    3. LEA-Specific Educator Licensing
    4. Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Redwood Road Pedestrian Sidewalk Ramp Project Land Sale
  5. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 3:54:27
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  6. Bids – 3:55:16
    1. Bingham High School – Stadium Video Board
    2. Facility Services – Milestone Care+ XProtect 3-Year Support
  7. Special Business Items – 4:03:03
    1. Consideration to Approve a Survey to Determine Interest in a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Aspen Elementary School
    2. Recommendation to Approve Jordan School District Property Donation to West Jordan for Future 9000 South Expansion
    3. Consideration to Approve Settlement Agreement in Vaping Litigation Involving Altria
  8. Information Items – 4:31:55
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  9. Discussion Items – 4:34:43
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  10. Adjourn – 5:16:49
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  11. 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