Feb. 27, 2024 Board Meeting Summary

Celebrating West Jordan High School
Abby Homer, Student Body President, said the focus at West Jordan High School this year is increasing involvement and enhancing the feeling of family at the school. Abby said they are working very hard to be mindful of inclusion with all groups at WJHS and want all students to know it is a place where they belong. Abby talked about the pride taken in homecoming activities and charitable events along with their high-level academic programs like International Baccalaureate. She talked about the principal roundtables at WJHS where they discuss opportunities and potential change at the school. Abby concluded by saying how proud everyone is about the diverse student population at West Jordan High School.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, introduced State and Region 6 PTA leaders who recognized a Jordan School District PTA State winner. Golden Fields Elementary School student Naomi Ramba was awarded first place for a 60-second video she produced called “Who inspired Me,” about a teacher who inspired her to work hard and stay active. Naomi received a plaque and $500.00 cash prize.

Dr. Godfrey thanked the Board, Blair Jensen and his welding students, along with Nathan Shields and his collision repair students for the new signs for the Board room. The signs included his vision, “Be Curious, Be Intentional, Be United.” The Superintendent said it was a huge surprise to see the amazing work done by welding and collision repair students and the decorations are very much appreciated.

  • Patron Comments
  • Jessica Hall, a parent, expressed concern over possible spay and neutering changes in the Vet Tech Program at JATC North and said she would like to see the instructor’s dog allowed back in the classroom.
  • Cleopatra Hall, a student, expressed concern over losing valuable hands-on experience in the Vet Tech program at JATC North.
  • Payton Hunt, a student, expressed concern over possible restrictions in the Vet Tech Program at JATC North. She also expressed support for her Vet Tech teacher.
  • Ainsley Herkimer, a student, expressed concerns over the kenneling practices in the Vet Tech Program at JATC North and she said students are trained on how to handle animals appropriately.
  • Amee Rock, a parent, thanked the Board for the Salt Lake County Pool Agreement giving competitive swim teams in our schools more options.
  • Julie Flannery, a parent, said the JATC Vet Tech program is phenomenal and expressed concern over attaching a service animal policy to a policy regarding the Vet Tech program.
  • Lindsey Curtis, a teacher, said it is a disservice to loyal teachers to not provide help with placement when they have been a part of the RIS process.
  • Jessica Anderson, a teacher, expressed frustration over the State taking away kindergarten testing days. She said the beginning of the year assessments are important and they are hard to do without being given the time to test.
  • Amanda Trimble, a student, said it has always been her dream to work with animals and the Vet Tech program is amazing and students realize they are at their own risk for injuries with the animals they work with. She said students leave the program and find success in veterinary clinics.
  • Michelle Foote, a teacher, expressed thanks to the Board for considering support of time to test elementary school students to mitigate losing testing time from the State Board.
  • Ashley Judd, teacher, asked the Board to consider a Districtwide policy banning cell phones in classrooms because there is a real danger of technology addictions.
  • Kathleen Barlow, a teacher, said cell phones in classrooms compete with teachers and are a distraction. Ms. Barlow said cell phones bring on anxiety and fatigue and students take less pride in their work with no respect for deadlines.
  • Mayor Burton thanked the Board and District for working together with West Jordan City to benefit our kids.
  • Robyn Parker, a parent, is confused over the revisions to Administrative Policy DP305 Placement and Assignment of Personnel and expressed concern over protections for teachers in the process.
  • Board Comments
  • Tracy Miller wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year and thanked Herriman High School and Monte Vista Elementary School students for the great job they did at the celebration event. Ms. Miller attended the Unified Basketball tournament. She reminded Board members that Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Educator award surprises begin next week and asked the Board to approve the nomination of Angela Grear to be on the Calendar Committee.
  • Niki George introduced JATC South welding students and teacher Blaire Jensen who presented Superintendent Anthony Godfrey with a large welded plaque with his motto “Be Curious, Be Intentional, Be United.” Ms. George recognized the Copper Hills High School girls wrestling team for taking first place in State competition.
  • Lisa Dean wished Joel P. Jensen Middle School a happy 40th birthday and the school celebrated with an amazing birthday bash. She applauded the Superintendent for a Supercast podcast episode on Joel P. Jensen’s milestone. Ms. Dean thanked all art teachers for their work in helping to give students a well-rounded education. She also expressed pride over joining Student Body Officers during their visit to the State Capitol.
  • Brian Barnett read a book to all students at Majestic Elementary School and was impressed by how well-behaved the student were during the book reading. Mr. Barnett also took a tour of Majestic Elementary School and said it is very interesting at how the arts are integrated into curriculum and it is also very impressive.
  • Marilyn Richards attended Elk Ridge Elementary Schools musical “Oklahoma” and said it was outstanding. She also attended South Valley School’s Travel Around the States event, and Bingham High School’s Women in Sports event.

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

In open session, the Board reviewed survey results for naming the new elementary school in Herriman. They discussed the 2024-25 fee schedule, 2024 summer projects, and received a boundary change update. The Board discussed a potential adjustment to the 2024-25 kindergarten start date, out-of-the-country conference travel for Jordan administrators, an update on the RFP for the cell phone policy survey, and reviewed legislative proposals and action regarding education.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – 15:25 
    1. Report on Survey Results Regarding Naming New Elementary School in Herriman – 16:11
    2. Continued Discussion on Fee Schedule for 2024-25 – 21:43
    3. Summer 2024 Project Review – 32:50
    4. Boundary Update – 36:50
    5. Discussion on Kindergarten Start Date Adjustment 2024-25 – 1:37:20
    6. Discussion Regarding Administrative Policy D208 Conference Attendance – 2:22:52
    7. Update on Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cell Phone Policy Survey – 5:43:06
    8. Legislative Review – 6:42:37
  2. General Session – 2:43:59 
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:44:48
    2. Reverence – 2:46:12
    3. Presentation – Celebrating West Jordan High School – 2:47:14
    4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:54:49
    5. Board Member Recognitions – 2:55:38
    6. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 3:08:38
  3. Public Comments – 3:26:16
    1. Guidelines for Public Comments
    2. Opportunity for Public Comments on 2024-25 Fee Schedule
    3. Public Comments
  4. Special Business Items – 3:42:47
    1. Recommendation to Approve Name for New Elementary School in Herriman
    2. Recommendation to Approve New Administrative Policy on Service Animals
    3. Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Administrative Policy DP305 Placement and Assignment of Personnel
    4. Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Administrative Policy DP358 Employee Discrimination and Harassment
    5. Recommendation to Approve 9800 South Property Sale Agreement
    6. Recommendation to Approve Salt Lake County Pool Agreement
    7. Recommendation to Approve 7000 South Pedestrian Bridge Property Donation
  5. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 4:54:17 
    1. Board Minutes
    2. LEA Specific Licenses
    3. Calendar Change for 2024-25 Professional Development Days
    4. Sabbatical Leave
  6. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 4:55:10 
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  7. Bids – 4:55:33
    1. Mountain Creek Middle School – Chromebooks & Google Licenses
    2. Information Systems – E-Rate Network and Wireless Access Point Upgrade
    3. Facility Services – Seismic Evaluation Services
    4. Facility Services – Bleacher Replacement at Copper Hills High School
    5. Facility Services – Bleacher Replacement at Riverton High School
    6. Facility Services – Driveway Realignment at Mountain Ridge High School
    7. Facility Services – Parking Lot Improvements at Auxiliary Services Building
    8. Facility Services – Parking Lot Addition at South Jordan Middle School
    9. Facility Services – Remodel at Riverton Elementary School
    10. Facility Services – Boiler Replacement at Oquirrh Hills Middle School
  8. Motion to Adjourn to Local Building Authority – 5:03:49
    1. Motion to Adjourn Jordan School District Board of Education Meeting and Convene as Local Building Authority
  9. LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY OF JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT – 5:04:39
    1. Recommendation and Possible Action to Approve Minutes from January 24, 2023 Meeting
    2. Consideration of a Resolution Expressing Intent to Reimburse Certain Capital Expenditures from the Proceeds of Up To $50,000,000 of Lease Revenue Bonds of the Authority and Providing for Related Matters
    3. Motion to Adjourn Local Building Authority Meeting and Convene as Jordan School District Board of Education
  10. Information Items – 5:11:44
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  11. Discussion Items – 5:13:16
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  12. Adjourn – 7:19:42
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  13. 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