- Summary of Board Actions During Study Session on May 26, 2026
Celebrating Riverton High School
Student Body President Seth Christensen said the theme for Riverton High School this year was “Onward, Upward, and Outward” inspiring students to reach their potential throughout the year. Seth said examples of this were the homecoming dance that had a record number of students in attendance. Silver Rush 2026 was a great opportunity to improve on Riverton High traditions. In addition, Seth said he is extremely proud of members of the RHS student government for writing a personalized letter to every student, teacher, administrator, and staff member at RHS to make everyone feel seen and loved. Seth said he is grateful for the support of the Board of Education and it would not be possible for Riverton High School to achieve all it does without that support. He ended by saying the school’s student body loves the people who surround them every day.
Special Business Items
The Board Approved the Following Special Business Items:
- 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement for Licensed Employees
- 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement for Education Support Professionals
- Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Provided by Westland Construction for West Jordan High School Remodel Project
- Updates to Administrative Policies DP322 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Updates to Administrative Policies DP380 Postpartum Recovery/Parental Leave
- Sensitive Material Review Appeals
Recognitions
Mike Haynes, Director, Jordan Education Foundation, announced the following 2026 JEF Outstanding Education Support Professionals:
- Rosa Tecalco, Majestic Elementary Arts Academy
- Mandy Shaw, Jordan School District Transportation
- John Hawkins, Blackridge Elementary Custodian
- Shelia Rapp, Heartland Elementary School
- Italina Schuhmacher, Bluffdale Elementary School
- Stacy Ulch, JATC
- Evelyn Najarro, Ridge View Elementary School
- Tonya Hodges, Jordan School District Purchasing Department
- Erica Williams, Mountain Creek Middle School
- Brandon Anderson, Jordan School District Information Systems
- JoLynn Snelgrove, Jordan School District Assessment, Research & Accountability
- Debra Miller, Rocky Peak Virtual Elementary School
- Abby Ampil, Award of Excellence, Jordan District Child Development Center
Region 6 PTA Committee Chair Jessica Navarro, and Region 6 Committee Member Sonja DeLaney announced the Region 6 PTA awards and State Reflections awards winners.
- 2025-26 Region 6 PTA Award Winners:
- Utah PTA Development Award, Erik Lindblom, Fox Hollow Elementary
- Utah PTA Engagement Award, Jessica Santos, Fox Hollow Elementary
- Utah PTA Outstanding Secondary Educator Award
- Heather Tester, Mountain Ridge High School
- Marcus Dickson, Riverton High School
- Utah PTA Outstanding Support Staff Award
- Marguerite Christensen, Foothills Elementary School
- Bill Flint, Riverside Elementary School
- Utah PTA Outstanding Volunteer Award
- Hillary Moser, Westland Elementary School
- Amber Nelson, Riverside Elementary School
- Niccolo Pestana, Herriman High School
- Kimber Probst, Foothills Elementary School
- Utah PTA Outstanding Elementary Educator Award
- Cindy Epperson, Jordan Ridge Elementary School
- Gina Schvaneveldt, Foothills Elementary School
- Utah PTA Spirit of PTA Award
- Danielle Gough, Fox Hollow Elementary School
- Dana Miller, Foothills Elementary School
- Utah PTA Outstanding School Administrator Award, Jayme Gandara, Foothills Elementary School
- 2025-26 State Reflections Award Winners:
- Evan Tallerico, Award of Merit, 2D Art
- Samantha DaSilva, Honorable Mention, 3D Art
- Madison Lundquist, Award of Excellence, 3D Art (Advanced to National Competition)
- Cora LaMunyon, Honorable Mention, 3D Art
- Olivia Nelson, Award of Merit, Dance
- Elsie Petersen, Honorable Mention, Dance
- Sloan Caplette, Award of Excellence, Dance (Advanced to National Competition, Award of Excellence National PTA)
- Bella Bland, Honorable Mention, Dance
- Deziree Graham, Honorable Mention, Film
- Russell Jenkins, Award of Merit, Film
- Carlos Torres, Honorable Mention, Film
- Eleanor Hatfield, Honorable Mention, Literature
- Arianna Shamy, Award of Merit, Music
- Morey Cameron, Award of Merit, Music
- Nya Namanny, Award of Merit, Music
- Naisha Shrestha, Honorable Mention, Photography
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, said the Jordan Education Foundation’s ESP awards and PTA employee awards are an indication of the wide scope of positions in the District and while they may have different roles, they all have the same goals to provide the best education possible for students.
Superintendent Godfrey said he appreciates everyone working so hard right now to get students across the finish line at the end of this school year. He is thankful for everyone working together toward that goal. Dr. Godfrey also thanked the Board for the two year extension of his contract saying he loves working for Jordan School District and the Board of Education.
- Patron Comments
- Janet Blackmer, a patron, expressed concern over the sound system at Copper Hills High School during athletic events on the football field. She said it is impacting the neighborhood with residents enduring excessive sound at all hours of the day and evening. Ms. Blackmer said as a result, it is impacting quality of life for residents in the area.
- Janet Sanders, JEA President, thanked the Board for the opportunity to work together and for their kindness, support, and willingness to listen during her term as JEA President. She also expressed concern from social studies teachers over a possible decrease in social studies credits. Ms. Sanders said increasing social studies credits by a half a credit would not be significant for students.
- Trina Christensen, said she is running for State School Board in District 8 and wanted the Board to know she is ready to listen and support Jordan School District.
- Jessica Knorr, a parent, is advocating for the continuation of Southland Elementary School’s Chinese Dual Language Immersion program, which she says has benefited her children in a wide variety of ways.
- Tyler Steienr, a parent, expressed concern over the continuation of Southland Elementary School’s Chinese Dual Language Immersion program. He said parents are also concerned about the reassignment of current Southland Principal Garrett York and what that may mean for the stability of the DLI program at Southland.
- Andrea Roundy, a teacher, said she has taught social studies for 17 years and expressed concern that students will suffer in writing and reasoning skills if there is a decrease in credits or cuts in social studies requirements. She said academics should take preference over electives.
- Elisabeth Monson, a parent, expressed concern over the reassignment of Garrett York as principal at Southland Elementary School and how that may impact the Chinese DLI program. She said Mr. York has worked tirelessly to promote the school, build morale, and the DLI program and has brought stability to the school.
- Emmalee Haight, a teacher and parent, expressed appreciation to a previous Board that made World History a whole year class, which she said has proven to be very beneficial to students especially with their confidence and skills.
- Board Comments
- Niki George recognized West Hills Middle School teacher Mark Sanderson for his year-long “Candy Bomber” lesson involving 8th grade students. She said it was cross curriculum learning benefiting students, culminating in a Candy Bomber event involving students from Berlin, Germany. Ms. George attended a Leadership Development dinner at Fox Hollow Elementary School where student leadership skills are tested in a fun way. She also attended a Unified high school track meet at Copper Hills High and Unified Golf event at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan. Ms. George attended the production of “Shrek” at Elk Meadows Elementary School, the Native Community Senior Night, a plant sale at Copper Hills High School, and the Spring Fling musical production at Kauri Sue Hamilton, which she said was a delight.
- Erin Barrow attended the West Hills Middle School 8th grade Candy Bomber event saying it was lovely to see what students have learned throughout the year. She also attended the Native American Senior Night, the District America 250 awards ceremony, the CTE Choice Awards night, and Unified sporting events at Copper Hills High School and at The Ballpark at America First Square. Ms. Barrow thanked Region 6 PTA for recognizing students with Reflections awards and for recognizing outstanding JSD staff.
- Lisa Dean thanked everyone for all of the hard work that went into recognizing teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. She attended the certification recognition event at the Family Engagement Center and attended the Majestic Elementary Arts Academy Spring Soirée which she described as fantastic. Ms. Dean reported on the Jordan Education Foundation Board and said the recent JEF Challenge Fun Run was a big success and a lot of fun. She also reminded everyone that the grand opening of the Heartland bridge is at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 28.
- Suzanne Wood attended the attended the Kauri Sue Hamilton Spring Fling musical production which she thoroughly enjoyed and congratulated the Riverton High School girls lacrosse team for winning the state championship,
Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, an employee appeal, potential litigation, and negotiations.
In open session, the Board reviewed and discussed West Jordan High School Remodel Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and District water conservation efforts. The Board discussed changes to social studies graduation credits and a potential bond for field houses.
– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications
- Study Session – 13:47
- General Session – 2:46:32
- Public Comments – 3:47:41
- General Business – Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items – 4:25:52
- Board Minutes
- Contract for Superintendent of Schools
- Contract for Business Administrator
- General Business – Motion to Accept Consent Agenda – 4:27:14
- Expenditures
- Financial Statements
- Non-compliance Report
- Fraud Risk Assessment
- Bids – 4:27:54
- Bingham High School — Athletic Uniforms & Apparel Discount Incentive
- Facility Services — Theatrical Lighting Upgrade at Elk Ridge Middle School
- Special Business Items – 4:34:55
- Recommendation to Approve 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement for Licensed Employees
- Recommendation to Approve 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement for Education Support Professionals
- Recommendation to Approve Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Provided by Westland Construction for West Jordan High School Remodel Project
- Recommendation to Approve Updates to Administrative Policy DP322 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Recommendation to Approve Updates to Administrative Policy DP380 Postpartum Recovery/Parental Leave
- Recommendation to Approve Social Studies Graduation Requirements
- Consideration of Sensitive Material Review Appeals
- Information Items – 4:54:50
- Superintendent’s Report
- Discussion Items – 4:55:46
- Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
- Topics for Bulletin Board
- Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session – 5:18:18
- Closed Session
- Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
- Property
- Potential Litigation
- Negotiations
- Security
Niki George, President – Voting District 6
Bryce Dunford, First Vice President – Voting District 5
Brian W. Barnett, Second Vice President – Voting District 2
Erin Barrow, Member – Voting District 4
Lisa Dean, Member – Voting District 7
Darrell Robinson, Member – Voting District 1
Suzanne Wood, Member – Voting District 3