School board visits Canyon View Junior High

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery District School board met in their first meeting of the new school year at Canyon View Junior High School. Superintendent Kirk Sitterud asked for approval for the following individuals: Susan Childs: educational Assistant, three hour at Cottonwood Elementary; Erin Hurdsman: Educational Assistant, Preschool, 5.9 hours at Cottonwood Elementary; Lindsey Hinkins: Educational Assistant, 5.9 hours; Emery High; Kirk Christiansen: Head Wrestling Coach at Emery High; Jack Butler: Custodian, four hours at Emery High; Mike Monfredi: Custodian, 4 hours at Emery High.
The board approved a policy revision for the SEOP policy it has a few minor changes and will now be called the student education plan and career and college readiness.
The board made a decision on garbage removal services. They have not had a bid for this service for seven years. They received two bids, one from City Sanitation and one from Emery Sanitation. The lower bid was Emery Sanitation and the board voted to go with this bid. Business Administrator Jared Black said they have been happy with the service provided by Emery Sanitation and they are easy to work with and if extra pick-ups are needed they are accommodating. The contract is for five years with built in increases.
The district renegotiated a contractor with the company that does maintenance on the elevator at the Spartan Center. It was $400-$500 a month and now it will be $300 a month.
The board approved to hire a temporary maintenance worker to help prepare the schools for the heating season. The cost will be $2,800. The position will only be for a couple of months and the money will come from the general fund balance.
Jim Jones, Canyon View Junior High principal gave his report. He said school is off to a good start. They have one new teacher Janeen Chynoweth who is teaching FACS, CTE intro and teen living. “She is a good addition to our staff. We have two part-time custodians. Marie Greenan and Marsha Farnsworth. Our enrollment is about the same with 194 last year and 195 to start this year with one additional student starting today. We have wonderful students and a wonderful faculty. We appreciate the new heating and air conditioning system. We have cleaned out the trailer and now have the resource class with Mr. Bird in there. The aides can take the students into the other room and work with small groups of students. This year we tried on-line registration and 100 registered on-line. We also had a registration day at school.”
Jones said the emphasis they are working on this year, determined by the school plan, is the implementation of technology into all aspects of the class room. The students will have interactive lessons with technology included. The entire school will now have wi-fi throughout. The school also has an updated security system installed by Doug Johnson. “We’re glad to have you here this evening and we have a good school and faculty and staff. There are areas we need to improve,” said Jones.
Board chairman Laurel Johansen thanked Principal Jones and his staff saying they greatly contribute to the success of the school.
Black said the auditors have been at the district office and a report from them will be ready by the November meeting.
Superintendant Sitterud said the enrollment report from Aug. 24, was 2,308 students. On Oct. 1, 2012 there were 2,302 students so the enrollment is up a small amount. The next board meeting will be on Oct. 2 at Cottonwood Elementary.