Sept. 22, 2026 Board Meeting Summary

• Summary of Board Actions During Study Session on Sept. 22, 2026

Celebrating Valley High School
Valley High School Principal Jacinto Peterson thanked the Board and District for providing the resources to support Valley, allowing students to reach their full potential for 51 years. Student leaders Haylee Sommers and Ava Peterson said Valley is not a last resort, it is a choice and students choose to succeed at the school. They said Valley makes them feel valued, supported, and gives them the confidence to achieve their goals. Ava said Valley gave her a fresh start and it is where she found her voice and stability. She said the school gives students a voice and lets them know their voices matter.

Special Business Items
The Board approvedrevisions to Administrative Policy DP344 Vacation Schedule for Twelve-Month Personnel

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, said it was nice to hear the report celebrating Valley High School. He said Valley impacts students and families far and wide and the Superintendent echoed the positive things said about the school. He said there is no school in the country that can possibly compare.

Dr. Godfrey expressed appreciation to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her staff for the visit to Jordan School District. He thanked everyone who worked so hard to make the visit such a success and a remarkable opportunity for students.

• Patron Comments
• Mayor Lorin Palmer, Herriman City, announced a new reading campaign in Herriman beginning on Sept. 28 called “Herriman Reads.” He said it will include 30 days, with 30 books, and 30 ‘My Little Libraries’ in the city. Mayor Palmer said every night for 30 nights he will go live on Instagram at 7:30 p.m. reading a children’s story along with someone in the community. He hopes the initiative will help bring awareness to literacy and the roles parents and community should play in getting students excited about reading.
• Devionare Howland, JEA President, thanked the Board for all the work they do in the District. She said as JEA President, she does not work alone but has an executive board representing elementary and secondary schools. She introduced one of the board members, Connor, a teacher at Mountain Ridge High School.

• Board Comments
• Niki George expressed great pride in Copper Hills High School Homecoming royalty nominees for showing their support for Sage, who is a part of “P.A.L.S.,” an inclusive student club and peer program that connects students with disabilities and their mainstream peers. She said Sage was elected as Homecoming queen and she congratulated the students who looked beyond themselves to give another student the opportunity. Ms. George said a huge thank you to CTE for hosting the recent Economic Summit, which she said showcased the business partnerships making incredible opportunities happen for students with job shadowing, apprenticeships, and internships. She said it is great to see students getting real life experiences, like the JATC South Construction Trades students, who helped with the South Jordan 9/11 Exhibit by building frames for the set. Also, the JATC South Landscaping students who recently did work at the Governor’s mansion planting waterwise plants in the park strip.
• Bryce Dunford reported on the South Jordan RDA committee, which presented members with a list of proposed tax increment projects in South Jordan City.
• Erin Barrow attended a recent Student Body Officer luncheon where she said the students lifted her spirits and they never cease to amaze. She said the students expressed kindness and empathy toward one another and demonstrated how sharp the up-and-coming generation really is.
• Suzanne Wood recognized everyone who played a role in coordinating and planning Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s recent visit to Jordan School District, which she said was a great success. Ms. Wood acknowledged Communications Director Sandy Riesgraf who she said undertook the significant effort, not just in time and scope, but making it meaningful for everyone. She said the Justice’s visit was a great benefit to all of us. Ms. Wood also reminded everyone about the upcoming Multilingual (ML) Family Night Celebration at Mountain Ridge High School on Thursday, October 8, from 6 – 8 p.m. She said it is an opportunity for the community to celebrate student achievement in WIDA and English language proficiency. Ms. Wood reminded everyone that Wednesday, Sept. 30 is “Orange Shirt Day,” a day to show solidarity with Native American students and their families. She also reported on the Government Relations Committee, which has scheduled a high school visit for two Utah lawmakers interested in meeting students in leadership at the school.
• Lisa Dean said she saw Herriman High School baseball players on Fox 13 and they represented their school very well. She also reminded everyone that Joel P. Jensen Middle School will hold their 4^th annual Fall Festival this Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4 – 7 p.m. Ms. Dean said it is an event she loves attending and it showcases students and opportunities at the school. She also reported on the Salt Lake County Rec Advisory Board where they discussed the new e-bike ordinance and a Salt Lake County Bond to improve recreation facilities throughout the county.
• Darrell Robinson thanked Superintendent Godfrey and the District for supporting the 9/11 Project in South Jordan. He said he supports Herriman City’s new “Herriman Reads” initiative and said he would like to do more supporting parents in how to help their students learn to read.

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

In open session, the Board reviewed Administrative Policy DP344 Vacation Schedule for Twelve-Month Personnel and the 2027-28 TSSA plan framework. Board member Lisa Dean discussed the Board member professional development moment and Board members discussed Board-level policies.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

1. Study Session – 10:37
   1. Review of Administrative Policy DP344 Vacation Schedule for Twelve-Month Personnel – 11:14
   2. Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA) 2027-28 Plan Framework – 14:21
   3. Board Member Professional Development Moment – 29:39
   4. Board Level Policy Review – 34:50
2. General Session – 1:19:06
   1. Pledge of Allegiance – 1:21:04
   2. Reverence – 1:21:32 
   3. Celebrating Valley High School – 1:24:03
   4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 1:30:14
   5. Board Member Recognitions – 1:31:17
   6. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 1:51:17
3. Public Comments – 1:41:51
4. General Business – Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items – 1:52:59
   1. Board Minutes
   2. LEA-Specific Licensing
5. General Business – Motion to Accept Consent Agenda – 1:53:46
   1. Expenditures
   2. Financial Statements
   3. Non-compliance Report
6. Bids – 1:54:24
   1. Copper Hills High School – Furniture
7. Special Business Items – 1:55:11
   1. Recommendation to Approve Proposed Revisions to Administrative Policy DP344 Vacation Schedule for Twelve-Month Personnel
8. Information Items – 1:56:49
   1. Superintendent’s Report
9. Discussion Items – 1:58:29
   1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
   2. Topics for Bulletin Board
10. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session – 2:22:18
11. Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security