New principal at San Rafael

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The September meeting for the Emery County School District was held at San Rafael Junior High on Sept. 5. Doug Mecham is the new principal at the school.
Superintendent Kirk Sitterud recommended names for approval for hire. Cindy McFarlane will be a Title one aide at the Bookcliff Elementary. Stacy Mason will be an aide at Castle Dale Elementary for three hours per day. Heidi Hill has been hired as the band and chorus teacher at San Rafael and Jennifer Fauver has been hired as the accompanist for the school.
The board approved all of the sports schedules that are ready. Travel for teams more than 150 miles one way must have board approval. There are a few trips each year that exceed the 150 miles. Most of the Green River trips for 1A sports are almost all more than 150 miles. They travel to Navajo Mountain, White Horse, Monument Valley, Altamont and other destinations across the state.
Principal Mecham welcomed the school board to the school. He said he is glad to be in the school and he’s loving it. He spent a few years at the high school and had forgotten how fun the junior high students can be. His only dilemma so far has been his own children go to Canyon View and now he’s confused on who to cheer for at the football game next week.
“I’ve been impressed by the staff here at San Rafael and their cohesiveness and support of each other. I am relying on them to help me become acquainted with the school and its culture. I am excited that we have three new teachers here. Heidi Hill is the new music teacher, she is a graduate of Snow College and BYU and did her student teaching at Skyline High. She comes highly recommended. We have Sara Beth Gibbs in language arts and we share her with Canyon View. Cassie Taylor is the math specialist that we also share with Canyon View. She will give extra help to students with their math so we can make sure each student is on level in math.
“We are excited for the new teachers. We will build on the good things that have been done here in the past and continue to grow. We want to teach integrity and honesty and reward students for acts of kindness. We want to develop these qualities in our students. We won our first football game today,” said Principal Mecham.
Board President Laurel Johansen said the board appreciates the extra help in math because junior high math scores are a concern.
Business Administrator Jared Black said they are preparing for an audit next week and they have been busy transitioning to the new software.
Superintendant Sitterud said they have three different numbers for enrollment and on Oct. 1 they will have an official count. After 10 days of school if a student hasn’t shown up they can be dropped. One number is 2,374 students which is up 56 students from last year.
He also gave the board members a list showing all of the staffing changes that have taken place this year in the school district.
Superintendant Sitterud said there is a character and civic education program created by the governor’s office and they would like to meet with every school board. They have grant money available to help with implementation of this program.
They will attend the November school board meeting at Cottonwood Elementary to make a presentation.
Superintendant Sitterud talked about the new teacher training that has been ongoing since before school started. It will continue through Oct. 22.
The mentor teachers in the district have been helping with the classes which have been taught on a variety of subjects including dealing with difficult students and disciplining with dignity.
The next school board meeting will be on Oct. 3 at Canyon View Junior High.