Nov. 28, 2023 Board Meeting Summary

Celebrating Herriman High School Latinos in Action
Members of the Herriman High School Latinos in Action led the Pledge of Allegiance and celebrated their culture with a beautiful poem written by Darianna Faria, a Herriman High student.  The poem expressed support for all students, encouraging those who have immigrated to the United States to never forget where they came from and to strive for a better world where all understand one another. The poem went on to say all students who have immigrated from another country should be allowed to achieve their hopes and dreams.

  • Special Business Items
    The Board approved the following special business Items:
  • Boundary changes for Sunset Ridge Middle School, Joel P. Jensen Middle School, West Jordan High School, and Copper Hills High School
  • Adoption of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023. Kyle Greene, of the auditing firm Squire & Company said the District’s financial statements conform with state and federal accounting principles. Additionally, the firm has issued an unmodified opinion (clean opinion) that the statements given to the Board accurately reflect the business that has taken place this past year.
  • A land exchange agreement for Daybreak Village 9
  • A timeline for the Ivory Land Development property trade agreement
  • Revisions to Administrative Policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, said it was National Education Support Professional Day on November 15 and stated there are no better ESP’s than in Jordan School District. The Superintendent thanked all of the outstanding ESP employees who make up about half of the District’s workforce and said we rely on them every single day.

Dr. Godfrey recognized Student Government members in Jordan high schools and wished them the best as they prepare for and execute their charitable drives. He said it is inspiring to see their excitement and dedication to support a charitable cause. The Superintendent also recognized Utah Jazz player Jordan Clarkson and Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker for working with the Utah Jazz and Heartland Elementary School to distribute free Thanksgiving meals. He said it was a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Superintendent Godfrey expressed his thanks to all of the experts working in Jordan School District, calling them great people who bring a lot of experience to their jobs. He also thanked the Board for supporting the District’s hard-working employees.

  • Patron Comments
  • Haley McCall, a teacher and parent at Aspen Elementary School, along with a group of other parents, expressed support for a Spanish DLI program at Aspen Elementary School. Patrons and parents commenting said a DLI program would lay the groundwork for a quality education at the school and bridge the gap between English and Spanish speaking students. They said it would also contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community.
  • Rebecca Kirkman, a parent, said she loves freedoms and the work being done in school libraries by librarians. Ms. Kirkland expressed concern that rights will be limited by the adoption of a new book review policy.
  • Elijah Webb, a student, asked the Board to consider more opportunities for students to become bilingual and to provide more opportunities for them to apply the languages in practical applications.
  • Kristofer Work, a teacher, said he understands the value of Artificial Intelligence programs in schools but expressed concern over money being spent on AI programs, which he believes may be taking funds away from supporting appropriate staffing at schools.
  • Board Comments
  • Tracy Miller attended the Bingham High School production of “42nd Street” saying it made her heart happy and was very well done. She reminded everyone that the annual Jordan Education Foundation Christmas for Kids is being held on Saturday, December 9 and volunteers are still needed.
  • Niki George reminded the Board that the Legislative Breakfast will be held on January 6 and she described the agenda for the morning event.
  • Darrell Robinson reported on the Literature Review Ad Hoc Committee which continues to look at the book review process and terminology regarding book challenges.
  • Marilyn Richards attended the Bingham High School production of “42nd Street” describing it as amazing. Ms. Richards said she is impressed by the improvements made in all of the School Community Councils she has attended. She said the UHSAA is looking at E-Sports as a sanctioned sport.
  • Bryce Dunford reported on the Finance Committee which plans to ask an auditor to look into the District’s P-card process to ensure it is protected from fraud.
  • Lisa Dean expressed appreciation for all of the hard work on the part of students, staff, and parents that goes into musical productions this time of year. She congratulated everyone who was selected to be a part of the Middle School Honors Band and Orchestra. Ms. Dean reported that Salt Lake County Parks and Rec is sponsoring a “My County Rec Pass” program starting June 1, and all children age 5 – 18 years-old qualify for the pass which gets them access to county recreation facilities for free.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, potential litigation, and negotiations. In open session, the Board received a presentation on Portrait of a Graduate and discussed Administrative Policy DE 501 Curriculum Adoption and Review Committee. They received an update on security protocols, discussed possible options for a newsletter and received an update on 2024 summer projects.

 – Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – 16:49
    1. Portrait of a Graduate Presentation – 17:59
    2. Discussion on Administrative Policy DE501 Curriculum Adoption and Review Committee – 1:17:37
    3. Update on Security Protocols – 1:59:10
    4. Board Newsletter – 5:46:00
    5. Update on Summer Projects – 6:27:12
    6. Revisions to Board Policy GP110 Public Participation at Board Meetings – 6:59:06
  2. General Session – 2:48:15
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:49:27
    2. Reverence – 2:50:38
    3. Presentation – Celebrating Herriman High School – 2:53:18
    4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:57:49
    5. Board Member Recognitions – 2:58:38
    6. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 3:01:36
  3. Public Comments – 3:05:16
    1. Comments by Elected Officials
    2. Public Comment on Proposed K-3 Early Intervention Reading Software Program
    3. Patron Comments
  4. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 3:38:05
    1. Board Minutes
    2. Daybreak Elementary School Land Trust Amendment
    3. Westland Elementary School Land Trust Amendment
  5. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 3:38:36
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  6. Bids – 3:40:13
    1.  Board Audit Committee – Professional Internal Audit Services
    2. Teaching & Learning – Early Intervention Reading Software Programs for Grades K-3
    3. Teaching & Learning – Classroom AI Solutions Digital Teaching & Learning
    4. Instructional Support Services – Follett Destiny Software
    5. Career and Technical Education – Welding Equipment for JATC South
    6. Information Systems – Network Firewall Renewal at JATC South Data Center
    7. Transportation – Bluebird School Buses
    8. Facility Services – Roof Replacement for Elk Meadows Elementary School
    9. Facility Services – Roof Replacement for Oquirrh Elementary School
    10. Facility Services – Roof Replacement Phase III for Riverton High School
  7. Special Business Items – 4:09:43
    1. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Boundary Changes for Sunset Ridge Middle School, Joel P. Jenson Middle School, West Jordan High School, and Copper Hills High School
    2. Recommendation to Adopt the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
    3. Recommendation to Approve Land Exchange Agreement for Daybreak Village 9
    4. Recommendation to Approve Amendment to Timeline for Ivory Land Development Property Trade Agreement
    5. Recommendation to Approve Administrative Policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave
  8. Information Items – 4:57:20
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  9. Discussion Items – 4:58:40
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  10. Adjourn – 6:59:47
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  11. 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