School board holds meeting in Green River

By By

The October meeting of the Emery County School District Board of Education was held at Book Cliff Elementary School in Green River.
Members of the board approved the warrants as well as the minutes for the September 2009 board meeting and the financial reports for August 2009.
Supt. Kirk Sitterud recommended to the board that the following individuals be approved for the positions indicated, having begun their employment on the day indicated: Heather Stilson-drill team advisor, Emery High-Sept.1; Lacey Branson: assistant drill team advisor, Emery High-Sept. 1.; MinaJean Mickelsen-school lunch worker, 3.5 hours, Book Cliff Elementary, Sept. 15.
Supt. Sitterud presented vending contracts from Emery High, San Rafael Junior High and Canyon View Junior High for approval from the board. He explained that the new State board rule and District policy require board approval of these contracts annually. Green River High does not have contracts for vending.
Supt. Sitterud presented school improvement plans, reading plans and staff development plans from all schools in the district. He explained that a new law requires board approval of these plans each year. He has read all of the plans and also spoke with board member Marie Johnson, who requested that all schools have a budget associated with their HB312 reading plan, which will be completed over the next few days. He asked if other board members had questions or input. Pres. Laurel Johansen commented that she was impressed with the amount of detail in several of the plans.
Business Manager Jared Black explained that the County would like approval to rent buses from the district for several annual events. Because these events are recurring, he is recommending that the board consider approving them on an ongoing basis to avoid the future need for board approval of each bus rental request. There are five recurring events being requested for approval now, with more to come later. These five events are: bike festival (weekend of the week before Memorial Day each year), marathon (second weekend in September), fun run (weekend of the County Fair) County Fair and Rodeo (to bus residents from Green River), swimming pool (to bus residents from Green River up to once a month).
Principal Nolan Johnson thanked the board for coming to Green River for their meeting. He asked Melinda Durrant to update the board on the status of one of the teachers in Green River who has been having some health problems.
After this update, he mentioned that Melinda as well as John Hughes are working on their administrative endorsements and are completing internships under his guidance. He also has a student teacher working for him who is a prior graduate of Green River High School.
Principal Johnson expressed how much pride and appreciation he has for his staff, noting their excellence and professionalism. Pres. Johansen thanked Mr. Johnson for his work as principal of two schools in the district.
Supt. Sitterud reported that enrollment is up by more than 60 students from last year, which is great for the district. He updated the board on the process of getting background checks done as required by law. The district office has individuals trained to do these checks and all support staff are on a six year rotation. He reminded members of the board of the upcoming USBA Regional meeting which will be held in Price. He also discussed an upcoming “Regional Education Roundtable” which is a meeting designed to discuss education issues including No Child Left Behind.
Last, he provided the board with a copy of the report from the drug, alcohol and tobacco use survey conducted by USOE and the health department.
Black reported to the board that the financial audit was recently completed and it went well. An official report will be given to the board in the next meeting and the auditors will be present for that report. He also mentioned that the district received a lot of positive feedback on the recent wellness challenge. The district now has a wellness committee with representatives from most schools and these types of healthy living competitions will continue.