Emery School District Superintendant Kirk Sitterud announced at school board meeting that the district is fully staffed and ready to begin school on Aug. 19. The opening institute was on Aug. 18 and will feature a motivational speaker, Steve Gilliland. He spoke on enjoying the ride and not just waiting for milestones in your life, but enjoying all the stops in between. He also taught two breakout sessions for teachers on teaching with passion. There was a benefits fair at the recreation center in Castle Dale that day with a barbeque lunch for all the teachers and staff.
Sitterud listed the new teachers and positions for the year; Doug Mecham, vice principal at Emery High; Alicia Whitesel half day special education at Emery High; Tisha Thornley half day special education at Emery High; Alicia Burr teacher at Ferron Elementary; Ryan Hepworth social studies and counselor at Canyon View Junior High; Leah Church family and consumer science teacher at Green River High; Amy Bell elementary behavioral psychologist at the elementaries; Kacie Healey kindergarten educational assistant at Ferron Elementary; Meagan Lamoreaux special education at Ferron Elementary and Mary Kava three hour library worker at Ferron Elementary. Sitterud said they are still looking for a part-time kindergarten teacher for Cleveland but LuAnn Jensen will continue a full day until they find someone to fill that position.
Corinne Dalton, FFA advisor was on hand with Jesse Malan who requested permission for Jesse to attend the Society for Rangeland Management with George Cook. The conference is in Albuquerque, N.M. Jesse will present at the conference. He is a student at Emery High and will discuss the medical purposes of plants and their healing properties. The school board approved the request.
A public hearing was held on the tax increase. Jared Black, business administrator presented a slide show outlining the changes. He said the projected enrollment for the district is 2,238. The revenue sources have changed very little. The tax rate will change from .005467 in 08 to .005361 in 09. The district has to repay PacifiCorp $116,000 for the judgment levy. This is a tax refund to PacifiCorp for tax protests.
Black pointed out if you experience any tax increase it will be because your home value increased, not an increase in the tax rate.
Due to the growth in the county, the district was able to offer another 1 percent increase to all employees in addition to the 1 percent increase already in the budget. The board came out of the public hearing and adopted the final tax rates and budget.
The board approved the health curriculum. Every three years this must be reapproved by the board. It is the sex respect core on human sexuality. It is abstinence based and must be parent approved.
Black presented the information gathered on the study of job descriptions and wages. They began a year ago to compare wages with other comparable districts. The custodian, bus drivers and mechanics wages were compared and determined to be about average so no changes will take place in wages. The supervisors have been asked to update the job descriptions for workers in their departments.
Sitterud told of all the trainings held recently which included: hazardous materials and asbestos, new teacher orientation, substitute training and bus driver training.
No Child Left Behind results will come from the state on Aug. 22, the district will have one month to review the results and the results will be released to the public on Sept. 30. The core test results came in this week.
Sitterud reported that Jim Keele had written a letter of appreciation to Jared Black for his help with the carpentry department at EHS.
Black said he has the warranty deed for the property donation for the county to build a Children’s Justice Center.
Laurel Johansen, board president said the board should have the right of first refusal on the property should the county ever decide to sell the property. Black said he would meet with the county and let them know this stipulation must be met before the district will donate the property.
The next school board meeting will be on Sept. 3 at Castle Dale Elementary at 7 p.m.
It’s back to school for area students
"The Emery District Board of Education makes plans for back to school. Jared Black, business administrator, Superintendent Kirk Sitterud, Rue Ware, Laurel Johansen, board president, Sam Singleton, Royd Hatt and Marie Johnson comprise the school board."