The March meeting of the Emery County School board was held at Emery High. Dixie Fielder the guidance counselor presented the Comprehensive Guidance Program to the board for approval. She highlighted various aspects of the program. She said 94 sophomores took a preparation ACT test and several scored very high. One student Rachel Roberts qualified for the national merit scholarship. One hundred and nineteen seniors participated in college day where various colleges came to the school and presented information about their college and gave them scholarship information. Fielder said she loves her job and loves the kids.
Principal Larry Davis introduced the boys swim team captains who came to inform the school board of their first place region swim meet finish. Eli Oliverson, Weston Allinson and Tyler Rowley from the boys team spoke to the board and Laryssa Guymon was the sixth place in state top placer for the girls swim team. Tammy Oliverson is the swim coach and she thanked the board for the part they played in bringing the swimming pool to the county.
Adrienne Carter president of the speech and debate told the board of the success of the speech and debate team. It was their goal to win 50 trophies this season and so far they have brought home 236 trophies. They won region and qualified the entire team for state. Coach Neal Peacock will prepare information about the success of these teams for publication.
Marqui Moss studentbody president reviewed the year of activities for the board. She said they started the school year with an assembly and program honoring the 10th anniversary of September 11. The students placed 3,000 flags on the front lawn of the school. The student council orchestrated homecoming activities and a tailgate party before the football game and a dance. They had a Mr. and Mrs. Emery assembly. They have presented four assemblies so far this year. They helped to raise funds for a football player injured in a football game with Emery. They helped raise funds for students in need at Emery High by putting funds into the student relief fund. They held a food drive and raised seven tons of food for the food bank. They have worked at the concession stand for 22 ball games and on every student’s birthday the student is presented with a Snickers bar and a card.
The student council also paints the spirit rock for various activities and events.
This is the 50th anniversary of Emery High. School board member Sam Singleton said he was a teacher at the school when it opened and there were 290 students attending.
Jim Jones Canyon View Junior High principal came before the board to discuss the green house building in front of his school. He asked for permission to clean it out and use it as a small classroom where the assistants can work with the students in small groups. They will look at the options for doing this and Richard Rowley the custodian can do most of the work. The room will need another exit.
The federal government cannot subsidize the paid school lunches with any federal money. The lunch rates will have to be raised to meet this federal requirement. The elementaries will raise to $1.75, the junior highs to $2.25 and the high school to $2.50. The board expressed their dismay at having to raise the rates. Information about the lunch price hikes will be sent out before the end of the school year.
The district will also be holding summer lunch again this summer season.
Superintendant Kirk Sitterud asked for personnel approvals; Serena Shorts as a three hour aide at BookCliff Elementary for extended day kindergarten. Kim Dyer was approved as an assistant at Canyon View Junior High. Sidney Larsen was approved as a bus driver.
The board approved staying on the two new bus purchases a year schedule but they will monitor the decision closely. The district has found that running newer buses helps with maintenance costs and safety issues for the students.
Principal Davis gave the report on Emery High. He said it is the goal of the school to provide a quality experience for the students. The FFA parliamentary team won region. Mr. Thornley is doing an excellent job with the students and is very enthusiastic. Chet Funk was the Emery High wrestling champ and is planning on going to Nationals. The school focuses on citizenship and patriotism and had a very meaningful 9-11 program. Also new is a military recognition wall for former Emery High students now serving in the military. Linda Wilberg headed up that project. The school has an integrity program in place and is preparing students to be good citizens and learn how to behave in social settings. The school is teaching good manners and common courtesy to the students. Students are rewarded with candy bars.
The school is making progress with its anti-drug programs, three years ago the problem was prescription drugs and that seems to have shifted to marijuana and alcohol. Presentations are being made with comments and stories and poetry the students have prepared themselves. This approach is more effective and meaningful because it comes from other students. The homework class has 30 participants three times a week. They can work on their homework and also do remediation and A+ credit recovery to catch up on any credits they are missing. The number of students on probation is 19 and this is the lowest number for quite awhile. The Gear-up program is very active in the school and prepares students for college. Students at the school are encouraged to get involved. Involved students do better in and out of the classroom.
“We have much work to do, but we have a dedicated staff. Our school is 50 years old and it’s a pretty darn good school. The district and maintenance departments do a great job of keeping everything together. The auditorium and the Spartan Center are very nice. There are many ongoing capital improvement projects and we have a campus to be proud of. When we had 800 students we had half the facility and now we have twice the facility and half the students. We had four winners at the Sterling scholar competition. Our kids are sensational. The junior prom was the social event of the year and we will continue that longstanding tradition at Emery High. Everyone at Emery High works well together. We get things done and we aren’t afraid to take on the big problems. I am proud to be principal here,” said Davis.
Sitterud announced the retirement of several district employees including Tom Baltzer, principal, Huntington Elementary; Jeanie Olsen, teacher, Cleveland Elementary; Bill Wright, teacher, Canyon View Junior High; Lorraine Dingman, teacher, Huntington Elementary; Norm Dingman, teacher, Cleveland Elementary; Judy Rowley, educational assistant, Huntington Elementary; Shirley Baltzer, educational assistant, Canyon View Junior High; and Donna Majors, custodian, Huntington Elementary.
The school trustland plans will come to the board for approval in May.
Sitterud brought the board members up to date on all the legislation dealing with education in this year’s recently finished legislature.
School board hears report on Emery High School
"Emery High student council reported to the school board on their many activities including the 9-11 tribute with flags on the school lawn."